Irresistible Homemade Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
As the crisp autumn air settles in and leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods filling your home. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a batch of incredibly soft, warmly spiced Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls? This recipe transforms the classic cinnamon roll into a festive fall treat, infusing the tender dough with real pumpkin puree and a fragrant blend of complementary spices, all generously crowned with a luscious pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting. It’s a truly delightful experience for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert.
My Journey to the Perfect Fall Cinnamon Rolls
I’ve always dreamed of creating a seasonal cinnamon roll series, and these delightful pumpkin cinnamon rolls are the ideal way to kick it off. Baking bread can sometimes feel intimidating, with its precise measurements and crucial rising times. I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous to tackle these, knowing that achieving that perfect fluffy texture often takes practice and patience. But with a little perseverance and the wonderful assistance of my kitchen aid stand mixer (a true lifesaver for kneading dough!), the process became incredibly enjoyable.
My fiancé, Kal, and I had such a fun time perfecting this recipe together. The stand mixer took care of the strenuous kneading, leaving us more time to enjoy the creative aspects of baking. We actually made these rolls the night before a trip to the fair. With my nephew spending the night, I wanted to have something quick, easy, and utterly delicious ready for him to enjoy the next morning. These pumpkin cinnamon rolls were an absolute hit, providing a warm and inviting start to our day before a fun-filled adventure!
Why These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Are a Must-Try
What makes these pumpkin cinnamon rolls truly stand out? It’s a combination of perfectly balanced flavors and textures that evoke the very essence of autumn:
- Soft, Pumpkin-Infused Dough: The dough itself is a star, made incredibly tender and moist with the addition of pumpkin puree. It’s subtly sweet and carries a hint of pumpkin spice, creating a beautiful base for the rich filling.
- Warmly Spiced Filling: Generous amounts of brown sugar, softened butter, and a robust pumpkin spice blend create a gooey, aromatic filling that swirls throughout each roll. It melts into a caramelized dream during baking.
- Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting: No cinnamon roll is complete without a generous topping, and this one is exceptional. A smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting is lightly spiced with pumpkin spice, providing the perfect creamy contrast to the sweet rolls. It’s literally the icing on the cake!
- Homemade Goodness: While store-bought rolls are convenient, nothing compares to the taste and texture of homemade. The effort put into these rolls is rewarded tenfold with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these autumnal masterpieces. Most items are likely already in your pantry, but ensure your pumpkin puree is 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
For the Dough:
- 1/3 cup milk (whole milk works best for richness)
- 4 tbsp butter (half a stick), unsalted
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg, large, at room temperature
- 2 and 1/4 tsps active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 2 and 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened (1 stick), unsalted
- 1 cup of brown sugar, packed (light or dark, your preference)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp milk (or heavy cream for a richer consistency)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tsp of pumpkin spice
Essential Equipment for Baking Success
- Stand mixer with a dough hook (highly recommended for ease, but can be done by hand)
- Large mixing bowls
- Saucepan for warming milk and butter
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for cutting rolls
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Preparing the Pumpkin Dough
- Warm the Milk and Butter: In a small saucepan, gently warm the milk and butter over low heat until the butter is just melted and the mixture is warm to the touch (about 105-115°F or 40-46°C). Be careful not to overheat, as this can kill the yeast. Set aside to cool slightly if too hot.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, pumpkin spice, and salt. Whisk these together until well combined.
- Activate the Yeast: Pour the warmed butter-milk mixture into the pumpkin mixture. Whisk in the egg and the active dry yeast until everything is thoroughly incorporated. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom; you should see a slight foamy layer on top.
- Add Flour Gradually: Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Finish Adding Flour: Gradually add the remaining 1 and 2/3 cups of flour, mixing for another minute until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Continue to knead the dough in the mixer on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes. The dough should become soft, smooth, and elastic. It might be slightly tacky but shouldn’t stick excessively to your hands or the bowl. If it’s too sticky, add 1 teaspoon of flour at a time, being careful not to add too much, as this can make the rolls tough. The dough is ready when it springs back when gently poked with your finger.
Step 2: First Rise
- Prepare for Rising: Lightly grease a large clean bowl with a neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil). Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat all sides lightly with oil. This prevents it from drying out.
- Cover and Rise: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place the bowl in a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This step is crucial for light and airy rolls.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling & Assemble the Rolls
- Punch Down Dough: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air.
- Roll Out Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into an approximate 10×14 inch rectangle. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly precise; close is good enough!
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and pumpkin spice. Mix until a smooth, spreadable paste forms.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the pumpkin spice filling over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough, leaving a small 1/2-inch border on one of the longer edges.
- Roll Up Tightly: Starting from the opposite long edge (the one without the border), carefully and tightly roll up the dough into a log. A tight roll ensures beautiful spirals.
- Mark and Cut Rolls: Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, make 10-12 evenly spaced indents along the log. This helps ensure consistent roll sizes. For a cleaner cut, slide dental floss underneath the log, cross the ends over the top at an indent, and pull to slice through the dough.
- Arrange in Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Place the cut cinnamon rolls into the prepared pan, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion.
Step 4: Second Rise (and Overnight Option)
- Second Rise: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap. Let the rolls rise again in a warm, draft-free place for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they look puffy and have nearly doubled in size.
- Overnight Option: If you want to bake these in the morning, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap after arranging the rolls and place it in the refrigerator overnight (up to 12-18 hours). The next morning, take the pan out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes while your oven preheats, allowing them to warm up and finish their final rise.
Step 5: Bake the Rolls
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown and the rolls are baked through. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry them out.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes while you prepare the icing. This slight cooling period helps the rolls set and makes them easier to frost.
Step 6: Make and Apply the Icing
- Soften Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it’s just pliable but not melted.
- Whisk Icing: Add the milk (or cream), powdered sugar, and pumpkin spice to the softened cream cheese. Whisk vigorously until the icing is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Frost Rolls: Spoon the warm cream cheese icing generously over the still-warm (but not hot!) cinnamon rolls. The warmth of the rolls will allow the frosting to melt slightly and coat every delicious curve.
And there you have it! Your irresistible homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls are ready to be devoured. Share them with family and friends, or keep them all to yourself – we won’t tell!
Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your egg, pumpkin puree, and softened butter for the dough and frosting are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly and ensures even rising.
- Don’t Overheat Milk: When warming the milk and butter, aim for a temperature between 105-115°F (40-46°C). Too hot will kill the yeast, and too cold won’t activate it properly.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate results, spoon your flour into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour, leading to dry rolls.
- Don’t Over-Flour: Resist the urge to add too much flour during kneading or rolling. A slightly tacky dough makes for a softer roll.
- Warm Rising Environment: A slightly warm, draft-free place is ideal for dough rising. You can preheat your oven to its lowest setting for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside (with the door slightly ajar if it’s too warm).
- Sharp Knife or Dental Floss: For perfectly clean, round cinnamon rolls, use a very sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will result in dry rolls. Look for lightly golden tops. A slight wobble in the center is okay, as they will continue to cook slightly from residual heat.
Storage and Reheating Suggestions
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover frosted pumpkin cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until warm and soft. You can also warm them in an oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 10 minutes.
- Freezing Dough: You can freeze the shaped, unbaked rolls. Place them in a freezer-safe pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking as directed.
Variations to Customize Your Rolls
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before rolling up the dough.
- Maple Glaze: Replace some of the milk in the cream cheese frosting with maple syrup for a delicious maple-pumpkin flavor.
- Extra Spices: Feel free to adjust the pumpkin spice blend to your liking. A pinch of black pepper or a dash of ginger can add extra warmth.
These homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. They embody the warmth, comfort, and delicious flavors of the fall season, perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on a quiet morning. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create some culinary magic that will make your home smell absolutely incredible. Happy baking!
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