Description
These pumpkin cinnamon rolls blend warm spices and rich pumpkin puree for a cozy twist on a classic treat. Perfect for autumn mornings, holidays, or any time you crave something soft, spiced, and sweet.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (for filling)
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
- Optional: Chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
- Optional: Dried cranberries
- Optional: Chocolate chips
- Optional Garnishes: Vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk), whipped cream, toasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk (about 110 °F) with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until foamy, 5–10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, salt, pumpkin pie spice, melted butter, and egg.
- Add the foamy yeast mixture to the bowl and stir until a dough begins to form.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1–1.5 hours.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon, and add any optional fillings.
- Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 10–12 rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise again until puffy, about 1 hour.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly and top with your choice of glaze or garnishes.
Notes
- Make ahead by refrigerating shaped rolls overnight, then bake fresh in the morning.
- Freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat before serving.
- Use instant yeast if preferred; skip the proofing step if desired.
- Substitute pumpkin pie spice with a homemade blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Make it vegan with non-dairy milk, vegan butter, and omitting the egg (add extra pumpkin for moisture).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
