Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat that perfectly captures fall flavors. These soft and fluffy rolls are infused with a delectable blend of pumpkin puree, warm spices, and sweet brown sugar. Topped with creamy maple-infused icing, they are the ultimate comfort food for any autumn morning. Whether you're hosting a brunch or looking to indulge in a cozy breakfast, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are sure to impress with their irresistible aroma and heavenly taste.

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll, offering a perfect blend of warm spices and comforting pumpkin flavor. These homemade rolls are an excellent way to infuse your kitchen with the cozy scents of fall and to treat yourself and your loved ones to a delicious breakfast or brunch experience. The combination of soft, pillowy dough, luscious pumpkin filling, and sweet icing is a wonderful way to embrace the season and create cherished memories with family and friends. Whether you're a fan of pumpkin treats or simply love baking from scratch, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a delightful and satisfying choice for any occasion.

For the dough, you'll need whole milk to add richness, unsalted butter for flavor and texture, canned pumpkin puree to infuse the rolls with a delightful pumpkin flavor, granulated sugar for sweetness, ground nutmeg for warm, earthy notes, salt to enhance the flavors, a large egg for structure, instant or active dry yeast for leavening, and all-purpose flour to create the dough's foundation. The filling consists of softened unsalted butter, which adds richness and moisture to the rolls, brown sugar for its deep, caramel-like sweetness, ground cinnamon for its warm and aromatic flavor, and pumpkin pie spice to enhance the pumpkin flavor with a blend of complementary spices. The icing calls for cream cheese, which contributes tanginess and creaminess, pure maple syrup for its distinct flavor and sweetness, whole milk for texture and consistency, and confectioners’ sugar to sweeten and thicken the icing, creating a luscious topping for the warm cinnamon rolls.

To make these delightful pumpkin cinnamon rolls, start by warming the whole milk and butter together until the butter is melted, creating a lukewarm mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, ground nutmeg, and salt. Add the warmed milk and butter mixture, along with an egg and yeast, and mix until combined. Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour to form a soft dough, then knead the dough until it becomes smooth and slightly soft. Allow the dough to rise in a greased bowl until it doubles in size. Next, roll out the risen dough into a 10x14-inch rectangle on a floured surface, then spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice on top, and roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 10-12 even rolls and arrange them in a greased baking dish before allowing them to rise again. Once the rolls have doubled in size, bake them until golden brown, then let them cool slightly while preparing the icing. For the icing, beat together cream cheese, maple syrup, milk, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy, and spread it over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy these delicious, homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls with your favorite hot beverage or as a delightful snack.

The pumpkin cinnamon rolls offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The rolls themselves boast a soft and pillowy texture with a subtle hint of pumpkin flavor, complemented by warm spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The sweet and buttery filling creates a luscious caramelized texture, adding indulgent richness to every bite. Topped with creamy maple-infused icing, the rolls achieve a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, providing a velvety finish to the overall experience.

When it comes to pairings, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are especially delicious when served alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a steaming mug of hot chocolate, accentuating the cozy and comforting essence of the indulgent treat. The warm spices and pumpkin notes also make them an ideal companion to a spiced chai latte or a fragrant herbal tea. Whether enjoyed as a standalone breakfast or as a delectable dessert, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are best savored with loved ones, creating a heartwarming and memorable experience.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a burst of flavors and textures! From the enticing ingredients to the delightful pairing options, these rolls are calling your name. It's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the steps of creating these delectable treats.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours & 25 minutes

Yield - 10 Rolls

Ingredients

Dough

• 1/3 cup whole milk

• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg

• 2 and 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast 

• 2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Icing

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 1 Tablespoons whole milk

• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Dough

1. Warm the milk and butter together over the stove or in the microwave.

2. Warm the two together until the butter is melted. You want the mixture lukewarm. Set aside.

3. Whisk the pumpkin puree, sugar, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in the warmed milk/butter, egg, and yeast until combined.

4. Using the dough hook or paddle attachment on low speed mix in 1 cup of flour. Mix for 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Add 1 and 2/3 cups more flour and beat for 1 more minute.

6. Keep the dough in the mixer and beat for an additional 5 full minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 full minutes. After kneading, the dough should still feel a little soft.

7. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or use nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat all sides in the oil. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a relatively warm environment for 2 hours or until doubled in size.

8. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking dish, 9-inch round baking dish, 9×13-inch baking dish, or 11×7-inch baking dish. This recipe yields 10 rolls and they can fit into any of those size pans.

9. Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Make sure the dough is smooth and evenly thick.

Filling

1. Spread softened butter evenly on top of the rolled-out dough. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and spices into a small bowl.

2. Sprinkle all over the top and roll it up tightly. Using a very sharp knife, cut into 10-12 even rolls. Arrange rolls in the prepared pan.

3. Cover the rolls tightly and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for about 22-28 minutes or until they are lightly browned on top.

5. Remove the pan from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes to let it cool slightly while you prepare the icing.

Icing

1. Beat the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl on medium speed until smooth. Add the maple syrup and milk and beat on high until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat on medium speed until creamy.

2. Spread on warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!