Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting 🍂

The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m Inaya, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. Even though we didn’t grow pumpkins in our garden, every fall my grandmother would somehow find one from the local market and roast it until it turned sweet and golden.

The first time I made Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, I was trying to bring a little bit of that autumn warmth into my kitchen. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and freshly baked dough filled my home and instantly reminded me of her warm hugs and laughter. 🍁

These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with cozy fall flavors. The pumpkin purée adds natural sweetness and a tender texture, while the cinnamon-sugar filling gives that irresistible swirl of comfort. And the best part? The maple cream cheese frosting sweet, tangy, and perfectly creamy, it melts into the rolls like a dream.

If you’re looking for a fall breakfast or a weekend baking project that makes your house smell incredible, this pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe is just what you need. Whether you’re making them for your family or just to treat yourself with a cup of coffee, these rolls will make any morning special.

Let’s get baking and make your kitchen smell like autumn magic! 🍂

Ingredients 🧂

For the Dough:

• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions 👩‍🍳

1. Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast might be old try again with a fresh packet.

2. Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, melted butter, and egg. Add the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

In another bowl, mix the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour, but don’t overdo it you want the dough to stay soft.

4. Let It Rise:
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This is the perfect time to enjoy a cup of coffee and daydream about that maple frosting. ☕

5. Prepare the Filling:
In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cloves until it forms a thick paste.

6. Roll and Fill:
Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread the filling evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

7. Roll It Up:
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (it makes perfect clean cuts!).

8. Second Rise:
Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30–40 minutes until puffy.

9. Bake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the tops are golden and your kitchen smells like heaven.

10. Make the Frosting:
While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy.

11. Frost and Enjoy:
Let the rolls cool for about 10 minutes before spreading the frosting generously over the top. Watch it melt slightly and drip into the warm swirls. Pure bliss. 😍

Serving Ideas 🍽️

Serve your pumpkin cinnamon rolls warm, paired with a cup of strong Greek coffee or a spiced chai latte. For an extra treat, drizzle more maple syrup on top or sprinkle with chopped pecans. These rolls are also great for brunch, Thanksgiving morning, or a cozy Sunday breakfast with family.

If you have leftovers (rare, trust me!), store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat slightly before serving. They’ll taste just as amazing.

Recipe Card 🧡

⏰ Time:

• Prep: 25 mins
• Rise: 90 mins
• Bake: 30 mins
• Total: 2 hrs 25 mins

🧂 Ingredients:

• Milk, yeast, sugar, pumpkin purée, egg, flour, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, cream cheese, maple syrup

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it foam.
2. Add pumpkin, butter, and egg; mix.
3. Add dry ingredients; knead and rise 1 hour.
4. Make filling, spread, roll, and cut.
5. Let rise again; bake until golden.
6. Frost with maple cream cheese topping.

📝 Notes:

• Use pure pumpkin purée, not pie filling.
• For extra flavor, add a touch of cardamom to the filling.
• Make ahead: Refrigerate shaped rolls overnight, bake in the morning!

🍽️ Nutrition (per roll):

• Calories: ~290
• Carbs: 45g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 10g
• Sugar: 18g

Conclusion 🌸

Baking these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting feels like wrapping your home in a warm, sweet hug. The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple cream cheese creates an unforgettable experience soft, gooey, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

I always say: cooking is about sharing stories and making memories. These rolls are a little piece of mine, and I hope they become part of yours too. So next time you crave something sweet and comforting, skip the bakery your kitchen can do magic. 🍁

Short 100-word Version 💛

Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete! These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are pure autumn comfort soft, sweet, and full of cozy spices. The pumpkin adds tenderness, the cinnamon swirl makes them irresistible, and the maple cream cheese frosting ties everything together with creamy sweetness. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy fall treat, they’ll fill your home with warmth and happiness. Try them once, and you’ll want them every weekend! 🍂