Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are an utterly irresistible treat that promises to transform any morning into a special occasion. Imagine soft, pillowy rolls, generously swirled with a fragrant pumpkin spice cinnamon filling, all crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. This isn’t just a breakfast item; it’s an experience, a cozy hug in food form that captures the essence of autumn and the warmth of home baking.
There’s something uniquely comforting about waking up to the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. These pumpkin-infused delights take that comfort to a whole new level, infusing your kitchen with the sweet, spicy scent of the fall season. They’re guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face, even the grumpiest early risers. Forget bland breakfasts; these pumpkin rolls are a celebration in every bite.
If you’re a devoted fan of traditional cinnamon rolls, prepare to fall in love all over again. These pumpkin variations offer a delightful twist on a classic, perfect for seasonal gatherings or simply indulging yourself. For those who enjoy exploring different roll recipes, you might also adore our Easy Quick Gooey Cinnamon Rolls, the uniquely flavored Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, refreshing Lemon Sweet Rolls, or the convenient Easy No Yeast Apple Cinnamon Rolls! Each one brings its own special charm to your breakfast or brunch table.
The Joy of Baking Homemade Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
There’s an undeniable magic in homemade baking. The process of combining simple ingredients to create something truly extraordinary is incredibly rewarding. With these Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls, you’re not just making a pastry; you’re crafting memories, filling your home with a welcoming fragrance that rivals any bakery, perhaps even a famous Cinnabon! The anticipation as they bake, filling every corner of the house with that wonderful cinnamon scent, is almost as good as the first bite. Trust us, the drooling while waiting for them to come out of the oven is entirely justified!
Homemade sweet pumpkin rolls truly are the best, especially when they boast that rich, authentic pumpkin flavor. The love and effort you put into each step translate into a warmth and deliciousness that store-bought versions simply can’t replicate. You can feel the love with every mouthful of these delectable pumpkin rolls, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends or simply savoring by yourself.
Why These Pumpkin Rolls Are a Must-Try
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of real pumpkin puree, warm cinnamon, and a hint of other spices creates a depth of flavor that’s both festive and comforting.
- Perfectly Soft Texture: A well-made yeast dough yields rolls that are incredibly soft, fluffy, and tender, practically melting in your mouth.
- Creamy Indulgence: The classic cream cheese frosting provides the perfect sweet and tangy counterpoint to the spiced rolls, tying all the flavors together beautifully.
- Versatile Treat: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Aromatherapy for Your Home: The baking process fills your home with an inviting aroma that signifies warmth, comfort, and deliciousness.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Crafting these heavenly rolls requires a careful selection of ingredients for each component: the soft pumpkin dough, the aromatic cinnamon pumpkin filling, and the velvety cream cheese frosting. Using quality ingredients ensures the best possible flavor and texture.
Pumpkin Roll Dough Ingredients
- Warm Water (110°F): Crucial for activating the yeast. Water that is too hot will kill the yeast, while water that is too cold won’t activate it.
- Active Dry Yeast or Instant Yeast: The leavening agent that makes the rolls light and fluffy. Active dry yeast needs to be proofed, while instant yeast can be mixed directly with dry ingredients.
- Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
- Almond Milk or Milk of Choice (Room Temperature): Adds richness and moisture. Room temperature milk incorporates more easily into the dough.
- Brown Sugar: Contributes a deeper, molasses-like sweetness and moisture to the dough.
- Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help with the tender texture of the dough. Ensure they are at room temperature.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient, giving the dough its distinct flavor, color, and moistness. Make sure it’s 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients, also controlling yeast activity.
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of the dough.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor, tenderness, and richness to the dough. Use unsalted butter to control the overall salt content.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Filling Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter, Softened: Essential for a spreadable and rich filling. Softened butter mixes easily with other ingredients.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: Reinforces the pumpkin flavor in the filling.
- Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a lovely caramel note.
- Ground Cinnamon: The primary spice that gives these rolls their classic aromatic warmth.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: The base for a rich, tangy, and smooth frosting. Room temperature cream cheese is key for a lump-free result.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a stable, pipeable frosting. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, it dissolves easily to create a smooth, sweet frosting.
- Ground Cinnamon: A touch of cinnamon in the frosting enhances the overall spice profile of the rolls.
- Pinch of Salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting.
Looking for more amazing breakfast treats? This Apple Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake and this Sinful ‘Cinnabon’ Cinnamon Roll Cake will certainly get your day off to a wonderfully sweet start!
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
Making homemade cinnamon pumpkin rolls is a rewarding process that involves a few key steps. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve perfect, fluffy rolls every time.
Pumpkin Roll Dough Preparation
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, sprinkle the active dry yeast and one teaspoon of granulated sugar over the warm water (approximately 110 degrees F). Stir gently to combine. Let this mixture sit for 5-7 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active and healthy when it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating it’s ready to work its magic.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In the large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the activated yeast mixture with the room temperature milk (almond or your preferred choice), brown sugar, eggs, and canned pumpkin puree. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth.
- Begin Adding Flour: Switch to the dough hook attachment. In a separate bowl, whisk the salt into 2 cups of the all-purpose flour. Gradually add this flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Then, add another cup of flour and continue mixing.
- Incorporate Butter: Continue to knead the dough on low speed. Gradually add the softened unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, allowing each addition to incorporate before adding the next. This slow addition helps create a rich, tender dough.
- Final Kneading: Add the remaining flour (you may not need all of it; add enough until the dough is manageable but still slightly tacky). Continue to knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
- First Rise: Lightly oil a large, clean bowl. Transfer the kneaded dough to this bowl, turning it once to coat with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in volume. A warm, draft-free spot is ideal for rising.
- Punch Down Dough: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air.
- Shape the Dough: Lightly flour a clean working surface. Transfer the dough onto the floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it into a large rectangle, approximately 20 x 14 inches and about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick. Aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform rolls.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Filling and Assembly
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, canned pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the cinnamon pumpkin filling over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough rectangle, leaving a small border (about half an inch) along one of the long edges.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long side opposite the empty border, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Once rolled, use a sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss to slice the log into 12 equal parts, each about 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
- Second Rise: Arrange the sliced rolls in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rest at room temperature for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have visibly risen and appear puffy.
- Bake the Rolls: While the rolls are on their second rise, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Once preheated and the rolls have risen, remove the plastic wrap and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the baked rolls from the oven and allow them to rest in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. This slight cooling period is essential before frosting, as it prevents the frosting from melting completely.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, then increase the speed and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and completely smooth.
- Frost the Rolls: Generously spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting over the warm (but not hot) pumpkin rolls. The slight warmth of the rolls will help the frosting melt just a little, creating a beautiful glaze. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Storing & Freezing Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls
These delicious rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored and even frozen to savor later.
- Room Temperature: If you plan to eat them within a day or two, frosted cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Ensure they are covered tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, place any leftover pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To enjoy them warm and gooey again, simply microwave for about 30 seconds. This will bring back that “just baked” warmth and melt the cream cheese frosting beautifully!
- Freezer: To freeze, either freeze individual frosted rolls or the entire batch (if unfrosted). Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired. If freezing unfrosted, you can frost them after thawing and reheating.
For more expert advice on baking, check out Taste of Home’s 19 Tips for Making the Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls! This comprehensive list of tips will help you perfect the art of making cinnamon rolls and apply those techniques to these delightful pumpkin variations.
Embrace the Flavors of Fall with Pumpkin
You know the comforting taste of classic cinnamon rolls, but now imagine that familiar warmth elevated with the earthy, sweet notes of pumpkin! As we fully embrace the Fall season, it’s the perfect time to infuse your baking with those beloved pumpkin pie spice flavors. You can easily enhance your pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls by adding in a pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to your filling alongside the cinnamon. This creates a more complex and rich spice blend that truly sings of autumn. These rolls are not just food; they are an invitation to savor the season.
More Baked Goodies to Love!
If you’ve enjoyed these Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls, you’ll surely love exploring more of our delightful baked recipes. Perfect for any time of day, these treats are sure to satisfy your cravings:
- Chocolate Chip Yogurt Muffins
- Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Blueberry Elderberry Cake Roll
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Dumplings
- ‘Awesome’ Cinnamon Applesauce Cake
- Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars
- Ultimate Chocolate Cookies
- Super Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting
- Pumpkin White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
- Easy Fluffy Orange Iced Cinnamon Rolls
Don’t miss out on one of our readers’ favorites, our Homemade Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars! They are truly the best!
Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Kim Lange
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Pumpkin Roll Dough
- ½ cup warm water 110 degrees F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅓ cup almond milk or milk of choice room temperature
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ cups + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into tablespoons, room temperature
Cinnamon Pumpkin Filling
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 Tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Cream Cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
Pumpkin Roll Dough
- Sprinkle yeast and teaspoon of sugar over warm water and stir to combine. Let sit for 5-7 minutes to allow mixture to bubble and activate.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together yeast mixture, milk, brown sugar, eggs, and pumpkin puree.
- Whisk salt in flour, then add 2 cups of flour to mixing bowl using the dough hook attachment to mix together. Once mixed in, add another cup of flour.
- Continue to knead on low speed until adding softened butter one tablespoon at a time.
- Add remaining flour and knead until dough is smooth and cleans the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for about an hour until dough has doubled in volume.
- Punch dough down after it has risen.
- Sprinkle some flour down lightly, on a clean working surface and transfer the dough to it and roll dough into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick.
Cinnamon Pumpkin Filling
- In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar and cinnamon together and spread over dough.
- Starting at the long side, roll dough into a log carefully, then slice into 12 equal parts.
- Place rolls in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30-45 minutes at room temperature to allow rolls to rise.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove plastic wrap and bake rolls for 30-35 minutes until golden brown on top Allow rolls to rest for 5 minutes or so to cool slightly before frosting.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.