Description
These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are a perfect fall treat featuring a soft, pumpkin-infused dough swirled with a warm cinnamon-spice filling and topped with rich cream cheese frosting. Ideal for breakfast or dessert, they are moist, flavorful, and bring cozy seasonal flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the dough:
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the dough: Add pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, egg, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until smooth and combined. Gradually incorporate the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead by hand or with a dough hook for about 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to form the filling spice mix.
- Shape the rolls: Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture on top. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Second rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30–40 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the frosting: While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk to achieve your preferred frosting consistency.
- Finish and serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls before serving for a delicious, melty topping.
Notes
- You can prepare these cinnamon rolls the night before by shaping them, covering, and refrigerating overnight. Bake fresh in the morning for best results.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for added texture and flavor.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
- Be sure not to overbake to keep rolls soft and moist.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
