I usually don’t write much before my recipes start because I make zero money from running ads on my blog, so I don’t feel the need to write a dissertation on why the cinnamon roll was invented and 19 different ways to store it. HOWEVER, once you make these cinnamon rolls for your family, your lives will be forever changed. You *won’t* be able to eat another cinnamon roll ever again. I’ve made them from friends in hunting camp; they always ask me to make them. I’ve made them at holidays- it’s the only thing people ask me about now. Josh tells everyone about them. They are a labor of love, so set aside 2.5 hours from start to finish, but I can promise you- they are worth it.

Ingredients

• Dough
  • 3/4 cup milk of choice (warmed to 110°F)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin (room temp)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
  • 1 egg (room temp)
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 1/2 cups flour (and more for rolling)
  • 1tsp salt
  • 2tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2tsp cinnamon
• Pumpkin Filling
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure pumpkin
  • 1 TBSP cinnamon
  • 2tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 4oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

• Activate the yeast. Pour the warm milk into a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast in. Stir and allow to sit for 5 – 7 minutes until frothy and activated
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Set aside
• Once activated, pour the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the brown sugar, pumpkin puree, butter, egg, vanilla, and the flour mixture
• Using the dough hook attachment (or a wooden spoon if mixing by hand), mix on low speed for 1 minute, until the mixture is barely combined. Rest for 5 minutes so the flour can soak up the liquids
• Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is elastic, smooth, and is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough seems a little too sticky, you can add 1 tbsp more flour at a time, until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Don’t add too much, you want the dough to be slightly sticky! I ended up adding about 1-2 TBSP more flour
• Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover and rise in a warm environment for 30-45 mins
• While the dough is rising, prepare the pumpkin spice cinnamon filling by combining all the ingredients until well blended. Set aside
• Grease a 9×13″ baking pan with butter or oil
• Once the dough has risen, generously flour your work surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and lightly sprinkle the top with more flour
• If you are making 8 larger cinnamon rolls, roll the dough out to a 16×15″ rectangle. For 12 smaller cinnamon rolls, roll it out to a 24×15″ rectangle
• Spread/smooth the pumpkin spice cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a tiny border around the edges
• Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log. Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 larger or 12 smaller rolls total. Each roll should be ~2″ in width
• Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan. Cover the pan and allow to proof for another 25-30 mins, until puffy
• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Once the rolls are proofed, warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 seconds, and pour all over the rolls
• For 8 larger rolls, bake at 350°F for the first 15-20 mins
• Then, turn the oven temperature up to 375°F and bake for another 5-7 mins, until the tops are golden and the rolls are cooked through
• For 12 smaller rolls, bake at 350°F for the first 10-12 mins
• Then, turn the oven temperature up to 375°F and bake for another 5-7 mins
• While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and softened butter. Then, beat in the powdered sugar until well combined and smooth
• Once the rolls are cooled, spread frosting over the top and serve

Thank you so much for visiting the blog! As you know, this is an ad-free blog thanks to your support of my commissionable links. If you need a new kitchen item, here are all of my kitchen essentials: https://sarahbowmar.com/2021/10/kitchen-essentials/