M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce

For a sweet appetizer at brunch and as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias, I made M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce. #BakingIdeas

One of my favorite memories of going out to breakfast as a kid was sharing a sweet roll with my parents. We would order one as an appetizer and split it three ways. Maybe it wasn't the healthiest choice - but it sure did make for some sweet memories! Needless to say, sweet rolls are front and center when it comes to my comfort food. I recently decided to share my love of sweet rolls and another favorite comfort food of mine, M&M's, with some friends we had over for brunch. In a season full of pumpkin & peppermint flavored everything - it was refreshing to relish in some warm, gooey comfort food that was not affiliated with the holidays.{and from the silence at the table and the empty tray of M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce, I think everyone else agreed with me!}

Although I could have used seasonal M&M's in these M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce, it was the classic Milk Chocolate and Peanut M&M's I saw while shopping at Walmart that caught my eye. If you are in the market for some M&M's right now {or always, as myself} there is a great coupon available for $2.50 off a 15.4 oz bag of M&M's. You're welcome. :)

I gathered up all of the ingredients and got to baking! It may look like a lot of M&M's, but I just needed to make sure there were enough to eat. cook with.

I really don't think there is a more colorful ingredient to make baked goods with than M&M's. My kiddos kept coming over and giggling at how many M&M's I was using, which of course made me start giggling. Gigglefest 2013 happened in my kitchen - and more memories were made with sweet rolls!

These M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce are relatively easy to make and most of the prep time is spent waiting for dough to rise. {my kinda work!} With sweet rolls that look this pretty, they could make anyone feel like an awesome baker.

Plus I am positive I have never seen sweet rolls this pretty! The options are countless as to what these M&M's Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce could be used for. We had them for a brunch with friends, but I think they would be awesome for a Birthday Breakfast, Office Party, Rainbow-Themed Party, Class Party, Potluck, etc.

M&M’s Sweet Rolls with Peanut M&M’s-Caramel Sauce
(PRINTABLE RECIPE)
yields 12 rolls
Ingredients
Dough:
¼ ounce instant yeast
½ cup warm water
½ cup scalded milk
¼ cup sugar
⅓ cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Filling:
½ cup melted butter, plus more for pan
¾ cup sugar, plus more for pan
¾ cup Milk Chocolate M&M’s
Peanut M&M's-Caramel Sauce:
11 oz caramel bits
2 tablespoons water
½ cup crushed Peanut M&M’s
Directions
1. Mix together water and yeast. Set aside.
2. Mix milk, sugar, butter, salt and egg until smooth. Mix in yeast mixture. Mix in flour in 2 batches, starting with 2 cups. When mixture is fully combined, knead on floured surface for 5 minutes.
3. Place in grease bowl, covered, until has doubled in size - about 1 hour.
4. Roll dough out in large rectangle, about ½” thick. Brush melted butter onto dough and then sprinkle sugar on top. Sprinkle M&M’s on dough, trying to make it as even as possible.
5. With fingertips on the shorter end of the rectangle, start rolling up the dough. Make sure to keep it even, but not too tight. Cut into 1” pieces - I used a paring knife that worked beautifully.
6. Butter a pan (I used a Bonny 11x7 Biscuit/Brownie Pan that baked 6 rolls perfectly!) and then sprinkle it with sugar. Place rolls in pan - just close to touching each other. Let rise for another 45 minutes.
7. Heat oven to 350 and bake rolls for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
8. After removing the rolls from the oven, heat caramel bits and water in saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat until caramel is completely melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add Peanut M&M’s and stir until smooth. Pour over rolls and serve immediately.

Baking is Better with M Pinterest Sweepstakes

Right now there is an awesome Baking is Better with M Pinterest Sweepstakes going on for M&M's

Pin for a chance to win one of three $250 Walmart gift cards! It's as easy as submitting your email and pinning an image. Simply complete the following steps:

1. Enter your email in the form below and click “Enter”
2. Pin the contest image to any of your own Pinterest boards
3. Visit the Baking with M Pinterest board and Re-Pin your favorites to enter http://www.pinterest.com/cbsocially/baking-with-mms/

Three (3) Winners will be selected at random - One (1) entry per person.
Contest runs 12/06/13 - 12/31/13

Mars has some Bright Ideas for how to use M&M's in baked goods, make sure to check them out!