If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and a little bit sweet with the rich flavors of fall, I’ve got just the thing for you — a **Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe** that’s quick, fluffy, and yeast-free! I absolutely love how these rolls come together in under 40 minutes, making them perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or an easy dessert that everyone, even my picky eaters, go crazy for.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Yeast Needed: You won’t have to wait hours for dough to rise—these rolls bake up fast and delicious every time.
- Pumpkin-Packed Flavor: The pumpkin puree adds moisture and that cozy fall vibe that makes these rolls unforgettable.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: The whipped cream cheese frosting is just the right balance of tangy and sweet to finish everything off perfectly.
- Family Favorite: I discovered that even my non-pumpkin-loving family asks for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here is easy to find and plays a key role in achieving the soft, tender texture and amazing pumpkin-cinnamon flavor you’re after. If you pick fresh pumpkin puree from the store (or even homemade), you’ll notice a big difference in richness!
- All purpose flour: This is the base for your dough—simple and straightforward to give that soft roll texture.
- Baking powder: Your leavening agent to make these rolls rise without yeast.
- Kosher salt: Just a touch to balance out the sweetness and enhance flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for mixing, butter adds richness and moisture.
- Brown sugar: Adds warmth and a hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
- Pumpkin puree: Your star ingredient—make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling!
- Whipped cream cheese: For that creamy frosting that’s light and luscious.
- Honey: Adds a gentle sweetness and helps keep the frosting silky.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential spice that complements pumpkin perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Gives the glaze a smooth, sweet finish.
- Milk, water, or cream: To thin out the frosting just right.
- Vanilla extract (optional): I love adding this for a little extra depth in the glaze.
Variations
I love that you can easily customize this Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe depending on your mood or what you have on hand. A small swap or addition can make it feel brand new!
- Add Nuts or Raisins: I like sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts inside for some crunch, or raisins for little bursts of sweetness.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap out butter for coconut oil and use vegan cream cheese to make these rolls fully dairy-free.
- Spice It Up: Sometimes, I add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger along with the cinnamon for extra fall vibes.
- Glaze Alternatives: You can drizzle maple syrup or a simple vanilla glaze if you want something different than cream cheese.
How to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a large bowl. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and helps your rolls rise nicely. Baking powder is your secret weapon here since we’re skipping yeast, so be sure it’s fresh.
Step 2: Combine Butter, Sugar & Pumpkin
Next up, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Then add in the pumpkin puree—this is the moment your place starts smelling like autumn magic. The pumpkin keeps the dough tender and moist, which I learned is key after a few trial runs of dryer rolls!
Step 3: Form the Dough and Roll Out
Now, incorporate the pumpkin-butter mix into the dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Don’t overmix here—you want it just combined so the rolls stay fluffy. Flour your surface lightly and roll the dough out into a rectangle, roughly 9×12 inches. This is where you’ll sprinkle your cinnamon and brown sugar filling before rolling it up and slicing into rolls.
Step 4: Bake Your Rolls
Place your rolls into a greased pan and bake for about 20 minutes until golden on top. Keep an eye on them—you don’t want the edges to get too dark but you do want that gorgeous color that means perfect baking.
Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls bake, mix the whipped cream cheese with honey, powdered sugar, milk or cream, and a splash of vanilla extract if you like. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Once rolls come out hot from the oven, slather that luscious glaze over the top—you’ll find this step takes them from tasty to knock-out delicious.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: I learned the hard way that old baking powder means dense rolls, so check your expiration date!
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined to keep things tender and fluffy, not tough.
- Warm Your Filling Spices: Toasting the cinnamon and other spices briefly in a dry pan before using intensifies their flavors wonderfully.
- Slice Gently: Use a sharp knife or dental floss for cleaner cuts to keep your rolls looking neat and uniform.
How to Serve Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, I love sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or a dash of cinnamon over my cream cheese glaze. Sometimes a drizzle of maple syrup adds a beautiful shiny finish and that extra hint of sweetness loved by the whole family.
Side Dishes
These rolls pair so well with a cup of hot coffee or chai tea. For a fuller fall brunch, I often serve them alongside scrambled eggs or sautéed greens to balance sweet and savory.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I arrange the rolls in a circular pattern on a festive platter and top them with edible flowers or candied pumpkin seeds for a stunning centerpiece. You can also bake them in individual ramekins for charming, personal servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If it’s warmer in your kitchen, the fridge works fine but bring them back to room temp before serving so they’re soft and flavorful again.
Freezing
These rolls freeze wonderfully! After baking and glazing, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm through in the oven—just like fresh!
Reheating
I reheat leftover or thawed rolls in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes; this helps restore that just-baked softness and melts the glaze perfectly. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the texture isn’t quite as good.
FAQs
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Can I make this Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe without cream cheese?
Absolutely! You can swap the cream cheese glaze with a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze or even drizzle maple syrup; it won’t be quite the same tang but still delicious.
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Is pumpkin puree important, or can I substitute something else?
Using real pumpkin puree is key to get that moist texture and authentic fall flavor. Substitute with butternut squash puree only if you want a slightly different but still tasty result.
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How do I adjust this recipe for gluten-free?
Try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Because gluten-free flours behave differently, the texture might be a bit more crumbly; adding a touch more pumpkin puree can help with moisture.
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Can I make these rolls the night before?
Yes! You can assemble the rolls and refrigerate overnight before baking in the morning. Just let them come to room temperature before putting them in the oven for more even baking.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe has become my go-to whenever I want that perfect mix of cozy fall flavors and quick homemade comfort. I love how it’s simple but never boring—every batch fills my kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin goodness and brings smiles around the table. I seriously recommend giving this one a try; you’ll feel like a kitchen rockstar, and your family will thank you for it. Trust me, these rolls are a warm hug you can eat!
Print
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Quick Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with cozy pumpkin flavor. These yeast-free rolls are easy to make and perfect for a warm fall breakfast or dessert, featuring a delicious cinnamon swirl and creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
Filling
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey
Frosting
- 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk, water or cream
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the brown sugar and pumpkin puree until a soft dough forms.
- Roll out dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Add filling: Mix the ground cinnamon and honey together, then evenly spread this mixture over the rolled-out dough.
- Form cinnamon rolls: Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them into a greased baking dish or pan, leaving some space between each roll for rising.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Make frosting: While the rolls bake, mix the whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk (or water/cream), and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and serve: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow to cool slightly before drizzling the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately for the best taste.
Notes
- These cinnamon rolls require no yeast, so they are quicker to prepare than traditional recipes.
- Use fresh or canned pumpkin puree; avoid pumpkin pie filling as it contains added spices and sugar.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- The frosting consistency can be adjusted by adding more or less milk or cream depending on your preference.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 194 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 152 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg