Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Introduction

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are the ultimate autumn comfort bake — soft, fluffy spirals of pumpkin-infused dough layered with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and finished with a rich, velvety cream cheese glaze. These rolls capture the cozy essence of fall with every bite, blending the natural sweetness of pumpkin with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The result is a bakery-style treat that feels indulgent yet homemade, perfect for holiday mornings, festive brunches, or simply treating yourself on a crisp fall day.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it takes the classic cinnamon roll — already a comfort food favorite — and makes it even more special with the addition of pumpkin. The pumpkin purée not only gives the dough a gorgeous golden color but also keeps it extra moist and soft. The warm blend of spices creates that cozy, autumn aroma that instantly makes the kitchen feel festive. And then there’s the cream cheese glaze — tangy, sweet, and creamy — which melts into the swirls and ties everything together.

These rolls feel like a hug in food form: soft, gooey, and decadent, yet not overly complicated to make. They’re a recipe I come back to every fall because they make any morning feel like a celebration, whether it’s a lazy weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch, or just a chilly day that calls for something warm and indulgent.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This recipe is a must-try because it’s:

• Perfect for fall and holidays – ideal for Thanksgiving breakfast or Christmas morning.
• Impressive yet approachable – the dough is easy to work with, and the result looks bakery-quality.
• Crowd-pleasing – everyone loves a warm cinnamon roll, especially with a pumpkin twist.
• Make-ahead friendly – you can prepare the rolls the night before and bake them in the morning.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes active (plus 1.5–2 hours rising)
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: ~2.5–3 hours
• Servings: 12 rolls
• Calories per Roll: ~320–380 kcal (with glaze)
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 1/2 – 4 cups (440–500 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup (120 g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp, 7 g) instant yeast
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin as needed)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Make pumpkin dough, knead, and let rise.
2. Roll out dough, spread filling, and roll into a log.
3. Slice into rolls, arrange in a pan, and rise again.
4. Bake until golden brown.
5. Spread with cream cheese glaze and serve warm.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Prepare the Dough

1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, melted butter, egg, remaining sugar, salt, and spices.
3. Add yeast mixture and stir.
4. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
5. Knead for 6–8 minutes (by hand or mixer with dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1–1.5 hours).

2. Make the Filling

• In a bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Stir softened butter with pumpkin purée until creamy.

3. Shape the Rolls

1. Punch down dough and roll out into a rectangle (about 14x18 inches).
2. Spread butter-pumpkin mixture evenly over dough.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
4. Roll dough tightly from the long side into a log.
5. Cut into 12 equal rolls with a sharp knife or dental floss.

4. Second Rise

• Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

5. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

6. Make the Glaze

• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then milk until desired consistency.

7. Finish & Serve

• Spread warm rolls generously with glaze.
• Serve immediately for maximum gooey deliciousness.

How to Serve

• Best served warm out of the oven with the glaze melting over the swirls.
• Pair with coffee, tea, chai, or hot cider for a cozy breakfast.
• Perfect centerpiece for holiday brunches.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use bread flour for extra fluffy rolls if available.
• For perfectly even rolls, use unflavored dental floss to slice the dough.
• If baking the next morning, refrigerate shaped rolls overnight, then bring to room temperature and bake.
• Add extra pumpkin spice to glaze for a stronger fall flavor.

Variations

• Maple Glaze – Swap vanilla with maple syrup in the glaze.
• Nutty Pumpkin Rolls – Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
• Chocolate Pumpkin Rolls – Sprinkle mini chocolate chips in the filling.
• Apple-Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls – Add finely diced apples to the filling.
• Mini Rolls – Cut dough smaller for bite-sized rolls; reduce baking time.

Freezing and Storage

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days; reheat before serving.
• Freezing (Baked): Freeze glazed or unglazed rolls, well-wrapped, up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in oven.
• Freezing (Unbaked): Freeze cut rolls on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge, rise, and bake.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowls
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional, but helpful)
• Rolling pin
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Parchment paper or plastic wrap
• Wire cooling rack

Conclusion

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are the ultimate fall comfort food – soft, fluffy, and filled with pumpkin spice goodness. The swirl of cinnamon-sugar, tender pumpkin dough, and creamy glaze make them irresistible for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They’re festive, freezer-friendly, and guaranteed to impress guests. Once you try them, they’ll become a fall tradition in your kitchen.