If you’re looking for a cozy fall treat, pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a perfect choice. These rolls mix soft, fluffy dough with pumpkin puree and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They bring the flavors of autumn right to your kitchen in a sweet, comforting way.
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You’ll love how the pumpkin adds moisture and a hint of natural sweetness, making the rolls tender and full of fall flavor. Topped with creamy frosting, they’re great for breakfast, brunch, or a tasty dessert when the weather turns chilly.
This recipe is simple enough to enjoy any day, but special enough to save for holidays or weekend mornings. Once you try these pumpkin cinnamon rolls, you might find yourself baking them all season long!
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Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Guide
You’ll need specific ingredients for a soft, flavorful dough and a rich pumpkin cinnamon filling. Preparing the dough properly sets the base, while making the filling with the right spices gives the rolls their fall taste. How you roll, slice, and let the dough rise affects the texture and shape of the final treat.
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Essential Ingredients for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Start with basic bread-making ingredients like all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. You’ll add pumpkin puree to the dough for moisture and flavor.
Use butter and milk to keep the dough soft and tender. For extra flavor, include pumpkin pie spice or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
The filling needs brown sugar and ground cinnamon for sweetness and warmth. Some recipes add brown butter to deepen the flavor. You’ll top the rolls with either a cream cheese icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
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Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients:
For the dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup pumpkin purée
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For the filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
For the cream cheese glaze
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed
Instructions
Start by warming the milk until it’s just slightly hot to the touch, then stir in the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit until foamy. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and pumpkin purée. Stir in the yeast mixture.
Add the flour and salt gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
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Once risen, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice, then sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered dough.
Roll the dough up tightly from the long side, then slice into even rolls. Place them in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise again until puffy.
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Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until golden brown, about 25–30 minutes. Let them cool slightly before frosting.
For the glaze, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then thin with milk until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Spread over the warm rolls and serve.
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Fall Baking Tips and Variations
You can change the flavor and look of pumpkin cinnamon rolls by picking different toppings, swapping spices, and serving them in ways that fit your fall gatherings. These ideas help you customize your baking and make it just right for your taste and occasion.
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Glaze and Frosting Ideas
Try topping your rolls with maple cinnamon cream cheese icing for a smooth, sweet finish. The maple adds a subtle richness that pairs well with pumpkin.
If you want something simpler, a classic cream cheese glaze made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla works well too. For a buttery twist, brown butter frosting gives a nutty flavor that matches the spice.
You can also experiment with drizzles like caramel sauce or even a light honey glaze to add extra sweetness without overpowering the pumpkin taste.
Pumpkin Spice Substitutions
Pumpkin spice usually has cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. If you don’t have pumpkin spice, you can mix these spices yourself.
- Use 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- A pinch of cloves or allspice
You can adjust the amounts to make the spice blend stronger or milder depending on your preference.
For a different flavor, try adding cardamom or even a dash of black pepper to add warmth without changing the fall feel.
Serving Suggestions for Autumn Gatherings
Warm pumpkin cinnamon rolls are great for brunch or dessert at fall events. Serve them fresh out of the oven with hot apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes for a cozy combo.
If you want to prepare ahead, bake the rolls and freeze them. Then reheat before guests arrive to keep them soft and fresh.
Slice the rolls and place them on a fall-themed serving tray. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon for a festive look. This adds texture and fits the autumn vibe perfectly.
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