The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Ever (Perfect for Fall!)

These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls taste absolutely incredible! They’re fluffy, warm, and filled with the most delicious sweet pumpkin filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. The crunchy pecans take it to the next level, along with the tangy Greek yogurt based frosting!

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a treat to make at home. The process is as enjoyable as the result, and you only need simple pantry staples to make it! Plus, the homemade pumpkin puree adds a special touch, guaranteeing that these rolls are as fresh and natural as possible.

This pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe stands out for its Greek yogurt frosting. The tangy Greek yogurt cuts through the sweetness of the rolls, creating a balance of flavors that's simply irresistible.

The cream cheese and butter add a luxurious texture, while the vanilla extract adds a hint of delicious flavor. So why not give this recipe a try and bring the magic of pumpkin cinnamon rolls into your home this holiday season?

Want to learn how to make this pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe? Then keep on reading.

Table of Contents

• What are Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls?
• What Makes This Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Special?
• What You Need to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls at Home
• How to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (Step-by-Step)
• Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Ever
• Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls 
• Recipe Variation Ideas for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Similar Recipes You'll Love
• Recipe Card
• The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Ever (Perfect for Fall!)
• Comments

What are Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls?

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls is a delicious recipe that combines the sweet, warming flavors of cinnamon and pumpkin in a soft, fluffy roll. These rolls are a perfect treat for fall or any time of year you're craving something sweet and comforting.

They start with a simple yeast dough, which is then filled with a mixture of pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and finally topped with a creamy Greek yogurt frosting and a sprinkle of toasted pecans.

As for taste, these rolls are simply irresistible. The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, along with the soft, fluffy texture of the rolls, creates a mouthwatering treat that's sure to impress. So why not give this recipe a try? You might just find your new favorite dessert!

What Makes This Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Special?

Easy to Make: This pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe is super easy to follow. Even if you're not a professional baker, you can easily whip up these amazing rolls by following the step-by-step instructions for the batter, filling, and frosting.

Delicious: The combination of homemade pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecans makes for a delicious filling, while the Greek yogurt frosting adds a tangy sweetness that compliments the pumpkin perfectly. Every bite of these rolls is a delicious combination of flavors.

Family Favorite: These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a sure hit with the family. The recipe makes about two dozen rolls, perfect for a family gathering or a weekend brunch. They're so good, you might want to make a double batch!

Versatile: The recipe gives you the option to use different types of nuts or even add chocolate chips to the filling. You can also adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. This flexibility allows you to tailor the recipe to your taste.

Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a party or attending a potluck, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. They're perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress your guests. 

What You Need to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls at Home

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For the Batter:

• Whole Milk: Acts as a liquid binder in the batter, adding a hint of creaminess to your cinnamon rolls.
• Sugar: It sweetens the dough and the frosting, while also helping the yeast in the dough to rise.
• Active Dry Yeast: This is the leavening agent that makes the dough rise and gives it a fluffy texture. You can also use instant yeast. For both, make sure it’s fresh so the dough rises properly.
• Eggs: They add structure, color, and flavor to the dough. Remember to have them at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
• Unsalted Butter: The fat in this recipe, gives it a beautiful buttery flavour. I used unsalted butter, then added salt separately to have more control over the saltiness.
• Salt: This ingredient enhances the other flavors in the recipe and helps control yeast growth during proofing.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a beautiful aroma and depth of flavor to our pumpkin cinnamon rolls.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the main structural ingredient in our cinnamon roll dough. I used whole grain unbleached all-purpose flour for a healthier twist. 

Ingredients For the Pumpkin Filling:

• Unsalted Butter: This is the fat in the pumpkin filling paste, giving it a rich, buttery flavor and smooth texture. It's also used to soften the pecans for that perfect crunch in every bite. 
• Homemade Pumpkin Puree: The star of our pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe, this adds a delightful pumpkin flavor and a beautiful orange hue to the filling. It's also what makes these rolls a perfect addition to your collection of pumpkin recipes.
• Brown Sugar: This sweetens the pumpkin filling, adding a deeper flavor than regular sugar due to the molasses content. It also helps to create a gooey texture within the rolls.
• Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices enhance the pumpkin flavor and give the rolls their distinctive warm, autumnal taste like pumpkin pie spice. Nutmeg adds a sweet, slightly nutty flavor to balance the robustness of the cinnamon.
• Pecans: These add a delicious crunch to the rolls and a wonderful contrast to the softness of the pumpkin filling. They also bring a lovely nutty flavor, with some used within the rolls and some as a topping. 

For the Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: This forms the creamy, rich basis of the frosting. Its tangy notes balance the sweetness and add a luxurious texture. 
• Unsalted Butter: Butter gives the frosting a luscious, velvety consistency. It also enhances the flavor of the cream cheese and yogurt, making the frosting more decadent.
• Sugar: Sugar is what sweetens the frosting, pairing perfectly with the tangy cream cheese and yogurt. It also improves the texture, making the frosting smooth and spreadable.
• Greek Yogurt: This adds a tangy richness to the frosting that complements the sweetness of the sugar and the creaminess of the cream cheese and butter. It also helps to thicken the frosting, giving it a good, spreadable consistency.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is the secret ingredient that enhances all the other flavors in the frosting. It adds a subtle depth and complexity to the frosting that sets it apart.

How to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (Step-by-Step)

Making these incredible pumpkin cinnamon rolls is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

How to Make the Pumpkin Roll Dough

The first step in making your pumpkin cinnamon rolls is to prepare the dough. Start by heating milk on high heat in a small pot on your stove until it is just barely warm to the touch. As soon as it reaches this temperature, turn off the burner. 

Remove your pot from the heat, add two tablespoons of sugar, and whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Now, add yeast to the mixture and whisk until it dissolves. Set this mixture aside in a warm place for about 15 minutes to half an hour to allow the yeast to proof.

While your yeast is proofing, cut some butter into small pieces and transfer them into a separate small pot. Place this pot on the warm (but turned off) burner you used to heat the milk. By the time you need it, the residual heat from the burner will have melted the butter.

Next, beat eggs and a cup of sugar together on high speed for five minutes. Add a pinch of salt, a dash of vanilla, and your melted butter to the mix, and give it a good stir. Then add your proofed yeast and stir again.

Now, gradually add sifted flour to the mixture, one cup at a time, stirring continuously until the dough is smooth and not too sticky. This should take about ten minutes. 

If you're doing this by hand and not using a KitchenAid mixer, the process remains the same. Once your dough is ready, place it in a warm place and let it rise for a couple of hours.

Note: I transferred the dough into a large glass bowl so I could use the mixer bowl to make the frosting while the dough is rising.

While your dough is rising, toast pecans in your preheated oven at a temperature of about 350 ℉ for ten minutes. Once they're nicely toasted, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.

How to Make the Pumpkin Filling

For your pumpkin filling, mix together softened butter and pumpkin puree. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to this mix and combine everything well with a wire whisk. Set this mixture aside until you're ready to use it.

How to Make the Greek Yogurt Frosting

To make your Greek yogurt frosting, beat together cream cheese and sugar for a minute on high speed. Add butter and beat for another minute. 

Scrape down the cream off the sides of the mixer bowl, add Greek yogurt and vanilla, and beat the mixture once more for about two to three minutes. Set this aside until you're ready to use it.

Note: I don't refrigerate it, but let it sit on a countertop until the rolls are ready for the cream, so the cream is soft when frosting the rolls.

How to Assemble Your Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Once your dough has tripled in size (which should take about two hours), it is ready. Divide your dough into two equal portions. Take the first half and place it on a well floured surface.

Roll it out into a rectangular shape and spread half of your pumpkin filling evenly over the dough. 

Sprinkle about three-quarters of a cup of your toasted and cooled pecans over the filling, saving the remaining quarter to top the rolls after frosting them.

Now, roll your dough into a log and pinch the ends together. Cut the log into approximately one-inch thick rolls using a string, floss, or serrated knife. Repeat this process with the second half of your dough.

Place these rolls onto a baking pan (about the size of a standard cookie sheet) lined with parchment paper. Let the rolls rise for an additional half an hour to forty-five minutes in the pan before baking them.

How to Bake Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Before you bake your rolls, drizzle some caramel sauce over them. Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at a temperature of 350 ℉ for about twenty-five to thirty minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown. 

Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for fifteen minutes before adding the frosting. Then, slather on your Greek yogurt frosting and sprinkle the remaining toasted pecans over the top. 

For a final touch, drizzle more caramel sauce over the frosting before serving. Enjoy your homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls!

Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Activate the yeast: In your pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe, make sure to proof the yeast in warm milk and sugar. This step helps activate the yeast, making your dough rise and become fluffy. 

Use whole grain unbleached all-purpose flour: This type of flour gives your rolls a hearty texture and flavor. It also provides additional nutrients compared to regular white flour.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree: Using homemade pumpkin puree for the filling will give a fresh and distinct pumpkin flavor to your rolls. It also allows you to control the sugar and spice content.

Toasting the pecans: Toasting the pecans before including them in the recipe enhances their flavor and gives a nice crunch to your rolls. It is a small step that makes a big difference.

Patience with rising: Let the dough rise for a couple of hours. This is crucial for the dough to develop the right texture and for the rolls to become light and fluffy.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls 

• Start your day on a sweet note by enjoying a slice for breakfast. Pair it with a hot cup of hot vanilla latte to balance the sweetness and kickstart your morning.
• For those who love a sweet and savory combination, serve these pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a side of crispy bacon or sausage. The saltiness of the meat perfectly complements the sweetness of the rolls.
• Hosting a brunch? Include these pumpkin cinnamon rolls in your spread. They pair wonderfully with a fruit salad or creamy scrambled eggs, providing a delightful contrast of flavors.
• These pumpkin cinnamon rolls make a great dessert too! Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
• Planning an afternoon tea party? These rolls are a perfect companion to your favorite teas or dishes. They pair especially well with a spiced chai or a robust black tea.
• Pumpkin cinnamon rolls can also be an on-the-go snack. Just wrap them in a napkin or pack them in your lunch box to enjoy a sweet treat during your busy day.
• For a festive fall gathering, serve these pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a warm apple cider. The seasonal flavors will create a cozy and delicious experience for your guests.

Recipe Variation Ideas for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

This delicious pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

Make it Nut-Free: If you're allergic to nuts or simply don't like them, you can easily omit the pecans from the recipe. The pumpkin cinnamon rolls will still be delicious and fluffy, with a rich pumpkin and cinnamon flavor.

Go Gluten-Free: For those with gluten intolerance, swap the whole grain unbleached all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend. Make sure that it contains xanthan gum, which will help the dough rise and maintain its structure.

Add a Citrus Twist: For a unique and refreshing twist, grate some orange zest and add it to the pumpkin filling. The zesty flavor pairs beautifully with the sweet pumpkin and warm pumpkin spice, making your rolls even more delicious.

Make it Vegan: To make vegan pumpkin cinnamon rolls, substitute the eggs with flax eggs, the butter with vegan butter, and the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt. The result will be just as tasty and satisfying. 

Try it with Chocolate: If you're a chocoholic, this variant is for you. Add chocolate chips to the pumpkin filling for a delightful surprise. The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and chocolate is delicious! Top it off with some maple syrup before serving. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Got some leftover pumpkin cinnamon rolls? No problem! Here's how you can store them to enjoy a delicious treat later.

First off, once your pumpkin cinnamon rolls have cooled down, transfer them to an airtight container. It is important to make sure that the container is airtight to prevent the rolls from drying out. You can then store the container in your fridge. The rolls will stay fresh for up to a week when stored in the fridge.

If you're wondering about reheating, it is easy. Just pop a roll in the microwave for about ten seconds, and you'll have a warm, delicious treat ready to enjoy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in an oven preheated to about warm (170°F or so) for approximately ten minutes.

Now, if you've made a large batch (say, about two dozen rolls), and you're worried you won't be able to finish them within a week, freezing is also an option. 

To freeze, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to enjoy a roll, thaw it in the fridge overnight, and then reheat as per the instructions above.

One thing to note, though, is the cream frosting. If you've already frosted the rolls, it is best to consume them within a day or two as the frosting can alter in texture when refrigerated or frozen for longer periods. 

If you make this Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls recipe, please share a picture with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag with #valyastasteofhome. I'd love to see your creations!

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This recipe was originally posted on October 21, 2016 (original picture below). I updated the pictures and the post for a better user experience. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.