Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Soft pumpkin-spiced dough spiraled with cinnamon sugar and creamy frosting

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
03 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
04 - ½ cup whole milk, lukewarm
05 - ¾ cup canned pumpkin purée
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Filling

12 - ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
13 - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
14 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

15 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
17 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
18 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add sugar, pumpkin purée, melted butter, egg, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Whisk until smooth.
03 - Gradually incorporate flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Knead for 6–8 minutes until a soft, elastic dough forms. Add additional flour if sticky.
04 - Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and roll on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over buttered surface.
07 - Roll tightly from the long side and slice into 12 equal rolls.
08 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until creamy.
11 - Spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pumpkin keeps the dough incredibly moist and gives it this gorgeous orange hue
  • That cream cheese frosting is the kind of thing you will want to eat by the spoonful
  • Your entire home will smell like the best bakery you have ever visited
02 -
  • If your dough is too sticky to handle add flour one tablespoon at a time until it is workable
  • Rolling too tightly will cause the centers to pop up during baking so keep it firm but gentle
  • Letting the rolls cool for just 10 minutes before frosting helps the frosting stay on top instead of melting completely
03 -
  • Use dental floss to slice the rolls by sliding it underneath and crossing it over the top for perfect cuts
  • If the dough springs back too much while rolling let it rest for 5 minutes then try again
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