The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Inaya, 38, from the sunlit island of Crete. The smell of cinnamon and butter melting in the oven always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen where the warmth of love and freshly baked bread filled the air.
One autumn evening, inspired by the pumpkins from our garden, I decided to twist her classic cinnamon rolls into something magical. That’s how my overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls were born soft, spiced, and swirled with rich brown sugar butter that feels like a cozy hug.
There’s something special about preparing these rolls the night before. The dough rises slowly while you rest, and by morning, your kitchen smells like heaven. The blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and brown sugar creates the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re baking for family, brunch, or just yourself, these overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls are pure joy in every bite.
Cooking, to me, is more than food it’s sharing stories, love, and comfort through flavors that bring people together. And trust me, one bite of these rolls will make you want to share them with everyone you love.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for these fluffy overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls:
For the Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 100°F)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ginger
For the Filling
- ½ cup softened butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
For the Brown Sugar Butter Glaze
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls rise beautifully.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Add pumpkin purée, egg, melted butter, and spices. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until the dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until soft and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rest for an hour.
Step 3: Roll and Fill
Once the dough doubles in size, roll it into a large rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll it tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 even rolls.
Step 4: Overnight Rise
Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The slow rise deepens the flavor and creates that irresistible bakery-style softness.
Step 5: Bake and Glaze
In the morning, remove the rolls from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
While baking, make the brown sugar butter glaze:
In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and cream. Simmer for 3 minutes, then stir in vanilla and salt. Pour this glossy glaze over your warm pumpkin cinnamon rolls.
Serving Suggestion
These overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven warm, gooey, and dripping with buttery glaze. Pair them with a cup of Greek coffee or chai tea for a comforting breakfast or dessert.
If you want an extra touch, sprinkle a little powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream.
Overnight Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Sugar Butter
These soft and fluffy overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls are filled with warm spices and topped with a rich brown sugar butter glaze. Prepare them the night before and wake up to the cozy scent of freshly baked rolls the perfect fall breakfast or brunch treat from my kitchen in Crete.
- Total Time: 50 minutes (plus overnight chill)
- Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough:
¾ cup warm milk (100°F)
2¼ tsp active dry yeast
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup pumpkin purée
1 large egg
¼ cup melted butter
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
For the Filling:
½ cup softened butter
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
For the Brown Sugar Butter Glaze:
¼ cup butter
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Activate Yeast:
In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.Make Dough:
Add pumpkin purée, egg, butter, and spices. Gradually add flour and salt. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest 1 hour.Roll & Fill:
Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread butter evenly, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll tightly and slice into 12 rolls.Overnight Rise:
Arrange rolls in a greased dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight for a slow rise.Bake:
In the morning, bring rolls to room temp for 45 mins. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 mins until golden.Make Glaze:
In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and cream. Simmer 3 mins, add vanilla and salt.Serve:
Pour glaze over warm rolls and enjoy immediately with coffee or tea.
Notes
Don’t overheat your milk too hot will kill the yeast.
You can freeze unbaked rolls after shaping for up to 2 months.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch.
These rolls stay soft for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ overnight rest)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Greek-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Conclusion
Making overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls is more than baking it’s an act of love. The rich pumpkin flavor, comforting spices, and luscious brown sugar butter glaze make this a recipe worth sharing again and again.
It’s a dish that connects memories, generations, and hearts. From my kitchen in Crete to yours, may these rolls fill your home with warmth, sweetness, and joy.
Short 100-Word Story Version
Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete. One chilly evening, I turned my grandmother’s cinnamon rolls into something new overnight pumpkin cinnamon rolls. With soft pumpkin dough, brown sugar butter, and warm spices, they became my autumn favorite. The best part? You prep them at night and wake up to the scent of freshly baked magic. Whether for family brunch or a cozy morning, these rolls bring sweetness and love to your table. Every swirl tells a story one of comfort, tradition, and joy baked into golden perfection.