Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and pillowy, made with a rich pumpkin cinnamon roll dough and filled with a spiced pumpkin cinnamon filling. Topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese icing, these rolls are the perfect fall treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as a cozy dessert.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below.
Milk of choice
Brown sugar
Salt
Instant yeast
Salted butter
Pumpkin puree
Pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Heavy cream
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls:
Incredibly Soft and Fluffy: These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are made with a pillowy dough, resulting in a soft, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Rich Pumpkin Flavor: The pumpkin dough adds warmth and depth to the cinnamon rolls, infusing them with seasonal flavors perfect for fall.
Warm Spiced Filling: The pumpkin cinnamon filling is rich with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a delicious, cozy flavor that complements the pumpkin dough perfectly.
Creamy Cream Cheese Icing: Topped with a thick, creamy cream cheese icing, these cinnamon rolls have the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
Perfect Fall Treat: With the combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and spices, these rolls are the ultimate fall comfort food, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Festive and Cozy: Whether you’re serving these rolls for a holiday breakfast or a cozy weekend treat, they’re guaranteed to bring warmth and comfort to any table.
Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet flavor and appearance, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are straightforward to make, making them a great recipe for both beginner and experienced bakers.
Great for Sharing: These cinnamon rolls are perfect for gatherings, brunches, or holiday celebrations, and are sure to impress your friends and family.
Versatile Topping Options: While the cream cheese icing is a classic, you can also customize the topping with maple glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even extra cinnamon for added flavor.
Keeps Well for Later: These rolls can be stored and reheated for a soft, fluffy treat the next day, making them ideal for meal prep or enjoying throughout the week.
Tips for Making Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls:
Use Warm Liquid for Activating Yeast: Make sure your liquid (water or milk) is warm, but not hot—around 110°F (43°C) is ideal. This helps activate the yeast and ensures a soft, fluffy rise for your rolls.
Incorporate Pumpkin into the Dough: Adding pumpkin puree to the dough enhances both flavor and texture. Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for the best results.
Don’t Over-Mix the Dough: Over-mixing the dough can lead to tough rolls. Knead the dough just until smooth and elastic, which will help keep the rolls light and pillowy.
Allow Dough to Rise Properly: Let the dough rise until it doubles in size—this typically takes 30-40 minutes in a warm, draft-free environment. The rise ensures your rolls will be fluffy and soft.
Roll the Dough Tightly: When spreading the pumpkin cinnamon filling and rolling the dough, make sure to roll it tightly. This ensures the filling stays in place during baking and gives the rolls a beautiful swirl.
Use Room-Temperature Butter for Filling: Soft, room-temperature butter helps the pumpkin cinnamon filling spread evenly and melt into the dough during baking, creating a rich, gooey center.
Cut Rolls Evenly: Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls evenly. This ensures even baking, so each roll has the perfect soft, fluffy texture.
Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the cinnamon rolls until the tops are lightly golden brown. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep an eye on the oven to ensure the rolls stay soft.
Top with Cream Cheese Icing While Warm: For the ultimate flavor, spread the cream cheese icing over the cinnamon rolls while they’re still warm. The icing will melt slightly into the rolls, creating a deliciously gooey topping.
Store and Reheat: To keep the rolls soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back the softness and gooey texture.
How to store Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls:
Room Temperature (Up to 2 Days): Store the cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before sealing to maintain their soft and fluffy texture.
Refrigeration (Up to 5 Days): For longer storage, keep the cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese icing will stay fresh, and the rolls can be reheated to enjoy them warm.
Freezing Baked Rolls (Up to 3 Months): You can freeze the baked pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat before serving.
Freezing Unbaked Rolls: If you want fresh-baked rolls later, assemble and cut the rolls but don’t bake them. Freeze the unbaked rolls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight and allow them to rise before baking.
Reheating for Best Results: To maintain their soft, pillowy texture, reheat the cinnamon rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. Reheating helps soften the rolls and melt the cream cheese icing slightly.
Keep the Icing Separate for Freezing: If freezing the rolls, consider storing the cream cheese icing separately in an airtight container. Apply the icing after reheating for a fresh, gooey topping.
Cover Rolls with Plastic Wrap: When storing in the fridge or freezer, covering the cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap before placing them in a container helps prevent them from drying out and keeps the rolls soft.
Serve Fresh for Best Flavor: These cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, so if possible, bake them the day of your event for the most delicious, soft, and fluffy results.
Refrigerating the Dough: If you want to make the dough ahead of time, refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before rolling out and baking.
Freeze Individual Portions: For easy single servings, freeze individual rolls and reheat them one at a time. This is perfect for enjoying a fresh, soft pumpkin cinnamon roll whenever the craving strikes.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make the pumpkin cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the rolls a day in advance. After assembling the rolls and letting them rise, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, allow them to come to room temperature before baking.
Q: Can I freeze the pumpkin cinnamon rolls?
A: Absolutely! You can freeze both baked and unbaked cinnamon rolls. For unbaked rolls, assemble and freeze them before the final rise. Thaw overnight in the fridge, let them rise, and bake fresh. For baked rolls, freeze them after baking and thaw them before reheating.
Q: How do I store leftover pumpkin cinnamon rolls?
A: Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them to soften and enjoy.
Q: Can I freeze the cream cheese icing separately?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cream cheese icing in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge and spread over the warm cinnamon rolls for a fresh taste.
Q: How do I keep the rolls soft and fluffy?
A: To keep the rolls soft, store them in an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap. When reheating, warm them in the microwave or oven to bring back their pillowy texture.
Q: How do I reheat the cinnamon rolls?
A: Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. Reheating keeps the rolls soft and the icing gooey.
Q: What type of pumpkin should I use for the dough?
A: Use pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for the dough. Pumpkin puree adds the perfect flavor and moisture to the dough without added sugars or spices.
Q: Can I add nuts or other toppings?
A: Absolutely! You can add chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins to the filling for extra texture and flavor. Drizzle with additional icing or a caramel glaze for a fun twist.
Q: How long should I let the dough rise?
A: Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, which typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours in a warm, draft-free environment. Proper rising ensures soft, fluffy rolls.
Q: Can I use a different icing instead of cream cheese?
A: Yes! While cream cheese icing is classic, you can also top the rolls with a simple powdered sugar glaze, maple icing, or even a cinnamon glaze for a different flavor.
Check out my other pumpkin recipes on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you try these pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Happy baking!
