The Story & Introduction
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Growing up, autumn always meant the kitchen smelled of cinnamon, honey, and freshly baked bread. Though pumpkins weren’t common in traditional Greek recipes, I discovered them when I lived abroad, and instantly fell in love with their sweet, earthy flavor.
One rainy afternoon, I combined that flavor with my grandmother’s classic sweet dough recipe and Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls were born. These rolls are soft, golden, and filled with a gooey maple pecan mixture that feels like a warm hug. They’re perfect for cozy mornings, Sunday brunches, or even gifting to a friend.
I believe that food should tell a story and these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls do exactly that. They remind me that even traditional recipes can evolve, embracing new ingredients while keeping the heart of homemade cooking alive.
So, grab your mixing bowl, light a candle, and let’s make these irresistible Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls together.
(Keyword used: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls naturally included multiple times for SEO.)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
For the Maple Pecan Filling
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, melted butter, egg, and sugar. Add the activated yeast mixture. Slowly add flour, salt, and spices. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread softened butter, sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and chopped pecans evenly across the surface.
Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal pieces. Arrange in a greased baking dish. Cover again and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.
Step 5: Frost and Serve
Whisk together cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls, letting it melt slightly into every swirl.
Serving & Storage Tips
These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are best enjoyed warm with a drizzle of extra maple syrup. They pair beautifully with a cup of cappuccino or spiced chai.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5. Reheat in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F for that fresh-baked taste again.
🍁 Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Pecan Filling
Soft, gooey Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls filled with maple pecan goodness and topped with creamy frosting a cozy fall treat that tastes like a warm hug! Perfect for brunch or a sweet morning indulgence.
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients
Dough:
¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup melted butter
1 large egg
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ginger
Filling:
½ cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
Maple Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Activate Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, melted butter, egg, and remaining sugar. Add yeast mixture. Gradually mix in flour, salt, and spices. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.Add Filling:
Roll out dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread butter, sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, drizzle maple syrup, and add pecans. Roll tightly and cut into 12 pieces. Arrange in a greased pan.Second Rise:
Cover rolls and let rise for 30 minutes.Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.Frost:
Mix cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, sugar, and vanilla. Spread over warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred.
For dairy-free: use plant-based butter and cream cheese.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature or up to 5 in the fridge.
To reheat, warm in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Fall-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Conclusion
Cooking is about creating moments that feel like home. These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Pecan Filling are more than just a recipe they’re a warm embrace on a chilly morning.
From the golden dough to the gooey filling and creamy maple frosting, each bite tells a story of comfort and love just like my grandmother’s recipes did for me.
So, make these rolls, share them with someone special, and let your kitchen fill with the scent of joy.
✨ Short Story Version (100 Words)
Hi, I’m INAYA from Crete! Autumn inspires me to mix my Greek roots with cozy new flavors. These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Pecan Filling are soft, golden, and filled with the warmth of maple and spice. Every swirl reminds me of baking with my grandmother simple, sweet, and full of love. They’re perfect for chilly mornings, topped with creamy frosting and shared with family. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this recipe will fill your kitchen with happiness and your heart with comfort. Let’s make memories, one roll at a time. 🍂