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Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch | Soft, Fluffy & Homemade

These homemade Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with buttery brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Finished with a creamy cream cheese glaze, they're a cozy fall breakfast or brunch treat that's perfect for weekends and holidays.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 Rolls
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Dough
  • ¾ cup warm whole milk
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Cinnamon Filling
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Glaze
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 –3 tablespoons milk
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Warm the milk to about 105–110°F. Add the yeast and a small amount of the sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until slightly foamy.
  2. Add the pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, vanilla, and remaining sugar. Whisk until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
  5. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
  7. Meanwhile, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to make the filling.
  8. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into approximately a 15 x 10-inch rectangle.
  9. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
  10. Starting from a long side, roll the dough into a firm log.
  11. Cut into 10–12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss.
  12. Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  13. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until noticeably puffy.
  14. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  15. Bake for 23–28 minutes, until the rolls are puffed and lightly golden around the edges.
  16. While the rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  17. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and enough milk to create a smooth glaze.
  18. Let the baked rolls cool for about 10 minutes.
  19. Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls and serve.

Notes

Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
Avoid adding too much flour. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
Milk should be warm rather than hot when activating the yeast.
Rising time can vary depending on room temperature.
Don't overbake the rolls or they may become dry.
Let the rolls cool slightly before adding the glaze so it doesn't completely melt away.
Unflavored dental floss makes clean cuts without flattening the dough.