Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)

Pillowy pumpkin-infused rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and crowned with luscious cream cheese frosting.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
02 - 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) 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 tsp vanilla extract
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
11 - ½ tsp ground nutmeg

→ Filling

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

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

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

# How to Make:

01 - In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add sugar, pumpkin purée, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
03 - Gradually add flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Knead for 6–8 minutes until a soft, elastic dough forms. Add a bit more flour if sticky.
04 - Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over buttered dough.
07 - Roll up tightly from the long side. Slice into 12 even 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 fresh.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They taste like fall in the most comforting way, but you can make them any time the mood strikes.
  • The cream cheese frosting melts into warm rolls like a secret indulgence, and nobody needs to know how easy it is.
  • You can prep them the night before, which means morning baking without the rush—basically magic.
02 -
  • The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky—resist the urge to add too much flour or your rolls will turn dense and heavy instead of cloud-like.
  • Spreading frosting on warm rolls is non-negotiable; cold rolls won't let it melt and set properly, and the whole experience falls flat.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients beat together faster and create a smoother dough—pull your butter and egg out at least 30 minutes before you start.
  • If your kitchen is cold, place your rising bowl near (not on) a heating vent or in a turned-off oven with the light on to create the perfect warm environment.
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