Quick Answer
A pecan caramel roll can contain a significant amount of carbs, depending on the specific recipe and serving size. On average, a medium pecan caramel roll (around 3-4 ounces) contains about 40-50 grams of total carbs. The majority of these carbs come from added sugars in the caramel sauce and dough. Pecans also contribute some natural carbohydrates.
Carb Content of Ingredients
A pecan caramel roll is made up of several high-carb ingredients:
Dough
The dough provides the bready base for the pecan caramel roll. Traditional dough recipes call for ingredients like flour, milk, sugar, yeast, eggs, and butter.
A 1 ounce serving of plain white flour contains about 15 grams of total carbs, with minimal fiber or protein. Therefore, flour is nearly 100% digestible carbs. Other common dough ingredients like milk, sugar, and eggs also contain some natural carbs.
Overall, a medium 3-4 ounce cinnamon roll made with a traditional yeast dough could provide around 30-40 grams of digestible carbs coming just from the dough itself.
Caramel Sauce
The sweet caramel sauce in pecan caramel rolls adds significant carb content. Traditional caramel sauces are made from sugar, butter, cream, and flavorings.
A 1 ounce serving of pure granulated white sugar contains about 15 grams of digestible carbs with no fiber. The caramel in a pecan roll likely contains at least 2-4 ounces of sugar. This equates to 30-60 grams of carbohydrates from the sauce alone.
Pecans
Pecans add a nutty crunch and flavor to the pecan caramel rolls. Pecans contain moderate amounts of carbs for a nut.
A 1 ounce (about 19 whole pecans) serving contains 10 grams of total carbs and 3 grams of fiber. Therefore, the net digestible carbs are about 7 grams. The pecans in a medium 3-4 ounce pecan roll would add around 5-10 grams of net carbs.
Portion Size
In addition to the carb density of the ingredients, the portion size eaten largely determines the total carb content.
A small 2 ounce pecan caramel roll likely provides around 20-30 grams of net carbs. On the higher end, a large 5-6 ounce pecan roll could contain 60-80 grams of digestible carbohydrates.
Net Carb Counts in Different Pecan Caramel Roll Recipes
Here is the typical carb content for medium-sized pecan caramel rolls from various recipes:
| Recipe | Serving Size | Total Carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Net Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starbucks Pecan Caramel Roll | 1 roll (85g) | 33 | 2 | 31 |
| Cinnabon Caramel Pecan Roll | 1 roll (122g) | 56 | 2 | 54 |
| Mrs. Fields Nutty Caramel Roll | 1 roll (141g) | 32 | 2 | 30 |
| Pillsbury Caramel Pecan Rolls | 1 roll (71g) | 34 | 1 | 33 |
| Trader Joe’s Caramel Pecan Rolls | 1 roll (71g) | 29 | 1 | 28 |
As you can see, most medium-sized pecan caramel rolls from popular bakeries and brands provide around 30-55 grams of net digestible carbs. Homemade rolls using standard recipes would be expected to fall within a similar range.
Tips for Reducing Carbs in Pecan Caramel Rolls
There are a few modifications you can make to reduce the carb content in pecan caramel rolls:
– Use a low-carb dough recipe made with high-protein or almond flour instead of regular flour. This removes most of the carb content from the dough itself.
– Cut back on the amount of sugar in the caramel sauce, or use a sugar-free caramel sauce made with zero-carb sweeteners.
– Increase the pecan topping to nut ratio – pecans are lower in net carbs than the dough and caramel.
– Stick to a smaller 1-2 ounce portion size of the roll. Avoid eating a whole 5-6 ounce roll in one sitting.
– Enjoy your pecan caramel roll alongside a very low-carb food like eggs or plain Greek yogurt to help balance the meal.
The Bottom Line
A medium 3-4 ounce pecan caramel roll contains approximately 40-55 grams of net digestible carbohydrates. This carb count comes mainly from added sugar in the caramel sauce and flour in the dough. Larger pecan rolls could have 60+ grams of carbs. Those looking to lower their carb intake can use various tricks like decreasing sugar, upping pecan content, choosing low-carb recipes, and keeping portion sizes modest. When enjoyed occasionally and mindfully, pecan caramel rolls can be incorporated into an overall healthy diet.