If you’re looking for a decadent way to start your day or to satisfy a sweet tooth, these Brown Sugar Caramel Muffins are going to hit the spot. They’re soft and fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the top, with a drizzle of rich caramel sauce that will make you swoon!
What are Brown Sugar Caramel Muffins?
Our brown sugar caramel muffins are an absolutely amazing sweet treat that combines the rich, deep flavors of caramel with the sweet, nutty taste of brown sugar. These muffins are typically made with a base of frozen dinner roll doughs that turn golden and fluffy when baked in a tin to take on the shape of muffins. Plus, the crumbly, sweetened oat topping adds an incredibly satisfying crunch to every bite!
The magic doesn’t stop there! What truly sets these muffins apart is the luscious caramel sauce that tops them off. Made with butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream, this sauce is rich, creamy, and irresistibly smooth. Drizzling it over the warm muffins lets it seep into the nooks and crannies, creating a gooey, sweet layer that will have everyone grabbing seconds!
(Love caramel recipes? Try our creme caramel recipe and chocolate chip caramel bars, too!)
Ingredients You Need
- Rhodes Dinner Rolls (Frozen) – These little gems are a super handy way to quickly make muffins that turn out fluffy and delicious every time.
- Light Brown Sugar (Packed) – This sugar adds that rich caramel flavor and also keeps the muffins wonderfully moist and yummy.
- Unsalted Butter – Butter makes everything better! It creates a tender crumb in the muffins and adds a buttery richness that makes these irresistible.
- Flour – Flour gives the topping the perfect structure and texture we all love.
- Rolled Oats – These oats add a hearty texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon adds warm flavor and an amazing aroma.
- Chopped Nuts (Optional) – Want some crunch? Toss in these nuts for an extra layer of flavor and a fun, crunchy bite.
Caramel Sauce:
- Butter – This is where the magic begins, creating a rich and creamy base for our dreamy caramel sauce.
- Brown Sugar – When it melts with the butter, it forms that deep, caramel goodness that we can’t get enough of!
- Heavy Cream – This makes sure our caramel sauce is silky smooth and perfect for drizzling all over those delicious muffins.
How to Make Brown Sugar Caramel Muffins
- Make the Topping. Add the brown sugar, butter, flour, and rolled oats to a mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Sprinkle in cinnamon and chopped nuts, if desired.
- Make the Rolls. Arrange the rolls in the muffin tin and spoon the crumble over the top. Allow the rolls to rise.
- Bake the Rolls. Place the rolls in a preheated oven and bake for the recommended time.
- Make the Sauce. Add butter to a saucepan and heat. Once the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and heavy cream and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Simmer the sauce briefly so that it becomes thick.
- Assemble. After the rolls are finished baking, top them with the warm sauce and let them rest briefly.
Variations
- Apple – Sprinkle with finely chopped apples for a fruity twist.
- Pumpkin – Mix a bit of pumpkin pie spice into the topping for some seasonal flavor.
- Chocolate Chip – Stir in some chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet, chocolatey addition.
- Cranberry Orange – Add dried cranberries and a bit of orange zest on top for a zesty, tart variation.
- Toffee Almond Muffins – Stir in some toffee bits and slivered almonds for a crunchy, buttery twist.
- Spiced Pear Muffins – Add diced pears and a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
Can I Store Leftovers?
You can store these brown sugar caramel muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
If you want to keep them fresh for a bit longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
For longer storage, you can freeze the muffins—just make sure they’re well-wrapped or stored in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll stay good for up to 2-3 months.
More Sweet Bread-Based Recipes
If you love all things bread like we do, you’ll want to check out more of our sweet muffins and scrumptious breads!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins
Brown Sugar Caramel Muffins
Ingredients
- 12 Rhodes dinner rolls frozen
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Chopped nuts optional
Caramel Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Crumble Topping:
- In a mixing bowl, combine light brown sugar, unsalted butter, all purpose flour, and rolled oats. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.1/2 cup light brown sugar, 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Add cinnamon to the crumble mixture.1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: Add chopped nuts to the crumble if desired.Chopped nuts
Prepare the Rolls:
- Place the frozen Rhodes dinner rolls in a muffin tin.12 Rhodes dinner rolls
- Top each roll with the prepared crumble mixture.
- Cover the muffin tin, and let the rolls rise according to the package instructions.
Bake:
- Once the rolls have risen, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Prepare the Caramel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.1/2 cup light brown sugar
- Add brown sugar, heavy cream and salt to the saucepan.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is fully dissolved. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Finish the Rolls:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, pour the warm caramel sauce over the top.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I freeze these?
Yes! For longer storage, you can freeze the muffins—just make sure they’re well-wrapped or stored in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll stay good for up to 2-3 months.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I love these muffins!
Thank you, Heather! We’re so glad!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Could this be altered to make in a regular size muffin tin or even a mini-muffin tin?
Hi Ginny! We do make this in a regular-sized muffin tin. It might work as mini muffins, but you may need to split the rolls in half, and reduce the baking time. We’d love to know how it goes if you give it a try!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I see the word NUTRITION and the note to use the information as an approximation but I can’t find the nutrition info anywhere.
Where is it listed?
Thank you
Hi Katherine,
Sorry about that! We recently removed the nutrition information from the posts, but you can always plug the recipes into a calorie counting app!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa