Ultimate Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls: A Sweet & Sticky Delight

Butterscotch. The very name conjures images of warm, gooey goodness. Now, imagine that flavor infused into soft, fluffy pull-apart rolls. That’s exactly what we’re making today! These Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a weekend brunch, a holiday gathering, or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day. They are incredibly easy to make (especially if you use store-bought dough!), and the results are absolutely irresistible. Prepare to be amazed by the symphony of flavors and textures in every single bite – the buttery richness, the caramelly sweetness, and the soft, pillowy dough all working in perfect harmony.

## Why You’ll Love These Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly simple, especially if you opt for store-bought pizza dough or frozen bread dough. Even making the dough from scratch is straightforward. The butterscotch sauce is incredibly quick to whip up.
* **Incredibly Delicious:** The combination of buttery, caramel-like butterscotch and soft, fluffy dough is a match made in heaven. The brown sugar and butter create a deep, rich flavor that’s simply irresistible.
* **Perfect for Sharing:** These rolls are designed to be pulled apart and shared, making them perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family meals.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking. Add nuts, spices, or even chocolate chips for a unique twist.
* **Impressive Presentation:** The swirled rolls look absolutely stunning, making them a show-stopping dessert or brunch centerpiece.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll need:

### For the Dough (Option 1: Homemade)

* **1 cup warm milk (about 105-115°F):** This activates the yeast.
* **2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast:** The magic ingredient that makes the dough rise.
* **1/4 cup granulated sugar:** Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness.
* **1 teaspoon salt:** Enhances the flavors and controls the yeast.
* **1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted:** Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
* **1 large egg:** Adds richness and structure to the dough.
* **3-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour:** The base of the dough. Start with 3 cups and add more as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic.

### For the Dough (Option 2: Store-Bought)

* **1 pound store-bought pizza dough or frozen bread dough, thawed:** A convenient shortcut for busy bakers.

### For the Butterscotch Sauce

* **1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter:** The base of the butterscotch sauce.
* **1 cup packed light brown sugar:** Provides the characteristic butterscotch flavor.
* **1/2 cup heavy cream:** Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
* **1/4 cup corn syrup:** Prevents the sauce from crystallizing and adds a glossy shine.
* **1 teaspoon vanilla extract:** Enhances the flavors of the sauce.
* **1/4 teaspoon salt:** Balances the sweetness of the sauce.

### Optional Add-Ins

* **1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts:** Adds a nutty crunch.
* **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon:** Adds warmth and spice.
* **1/2 cup chocolate chips:** Adds a chocolatey twist.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large mixing bowl (for homemade dough):** To mix the dough ingredients.
* **Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (optional for homemade dough):** Makes kneading easier.
* **9×13 inch baking pan:** To bake the rolls.
* **Small saucepan:** To make the butterscotch sauce.
* **Whisk:** To whisk the butterscotch sauce ingredients.
* **Rolling pin:** To roll out the dough.
* **Pastry brush:** To brush the dough with melted butter.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of irresistible Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls.

### Part 1: Making the Dough (Homemade Option)

1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** Add the melted butter and egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
3. **Add Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, along with the salt. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
4. **Knead the Dough:** If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky.
5. **First Rise:** Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

### Part 2: Making the Butterscotch Sauce

1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and corn syrup.
2. **Cook the Sauce:** Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened.
3. **Remove from Heat:** Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Let the sauce cool slightly while you prepare the dough.

### Part 3: Assembling the Rolls

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Prepare Baking Pan:** Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
3. **Roll Out the Dough:** If using homemade dough, gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches. If using store-bought dough, simply roll it out into a similar-sized rectangle.
4. **Spread with Butter:** Brush the entire surface of the dough with melted butter. This will help the rolls separate easily after baking.
5. **Pour Butterscotch Sauce:** Pour about half of the cooled butterscotch sauce evenly over the buttered dough. Reserve the remaining sauce for drizzling over the baked rolls.
6. **Add Optional Add-Ins:** If desired, sprinkle the dough with chopped nuts, cinnamon, or chocolate chips.
7. **Roll Up the Dough:** Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
8. **Slice the Rolls:** Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12-15 even slices.
9. **Arrange in Pan:** Arrange the rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking pan. They should be snug but not overcrowded.
10. **Second Rise (Optional):** For even softer rolls, cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another 20-30 minutes. This step is optional but recommended.

### Part 4: Baking the Rolls

1. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the butterscotch sauce is bubbly.
2. **Cool Slightly:** Let the rolls cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before drizzling with the remaining butterscotch sauce.
3. **Serve:** Serve warm and enjoy!

## Tips for Success

* **Use Warm Milk:** Make sure the milk is warm, but not too hot, when activating the yeast. The ideal temperature is between 105-115°F. Too hot, and it will kill the yeast. Too cold, and it won’t activate it properly.
* **Don’t Overknead the Dough:** Overkneading can result in tough rolls. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, but not overly so.
* **Let the Dough Rise Properly:** Give the dough enough time to rise in a warm place. This will ensure that the rolls are light and fluffy.
* **Don’t Overbake the Rolls:** Overbaking can result in dry rolls. Bake until they are golden brown and the butterscotch sauce is bubbly.
* **Use a Serrated Knife or Dental Floss to Slice the Rolls:** This will prevent the rolls from being squished.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet roll, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar in the butterscotch sauce.
* **Add a Pinch of Salt:** Salt is essential to balance the sweetness of the butterscotch sauce. Don’t skip it!
* **Use Good Quality Butter:** The quality of the butter will affect the flavor of the rolls. Use a high-quality unsalted butter for the best results.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Add Nuts:** Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add a delicious nutty crunch to these rolls.
* **Add Spices:** A teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom adds warmth and spice.
* **Add Chocolate Chips:** Chocolate chips add a chocolatey twist to these rolls.
* **Use a Different Type of Dough:** You can use other types of dough, such as brioche dough or sweet roll dough, for a different flavor and texture.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these rolls gluten-free. Be sure to use a blend that is specifically designed for baking bread.
* **Vegan Butterscotch Rolls:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the heavy cream with coconut cream, and the egg (if using homemade dough) with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken before adding it to the dough.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Serve warm:** These rolls are best served warm, straight from the oven.
* **Drizzle with extra butterscotch sauce:** For an extra decadent treat, drizzle the rolls with extra butterscotch sauce.
* **Serve with a scoop of ice cream:** Vanilla ice cream or butter pecan ice cream pairs perfectly with these rolls.
* **Serve with coffee or tea:** These rolls are a delicious accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Brunch:** Serve as part of a brunch spread alongside eggs, bacon, and fruit.
* **Dessert:** Serve as a dessert after a meal.
* **Holiday Gathering:** These rolls are a crowd-pleasing dessert for holiday gatherings.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store at Room Temperature:** Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
* **Store in the Refrigerator:** Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving.
* **Freeze:** Freeze leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Reheating Instructions

* **Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
* **Microwave:** Microwave the rolls for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat them, or they will become tough.

## Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe Card

Here is a quick, printer-friendly recipe card for your convenience!

## Final Thoughts

These Butterscotch Pull-Apart Rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They are easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat for a special occasion or simply want to brighten your day, these rolls are sure to hit the spot. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of pure butterscotch bliss! Enjoy!