🧡 Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead


🍂 The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, and today I’m sharing one of my coziest fall traditions Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead 🥰.
When I was a little girl growing up in Crete, my grandmother and I would wake up early on cool mornings to knead dough while cinnamon filled the air. Back then, pumpkin wasn’t something we used much, but when I moved abroad, I discovered how magical it could be in sweet treats. The first time I combined it with my grandmother’s classic dough, it was love at first bite. 💫

These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and spiced just right perfect for chilly mornings, brunch with friends, or lazy weekends. The best part? You can prep them ahead of time, let them rest in the fridge overnight, and bake them fresh the next day. No stress, no rush, just warm, gooey perfection with your coffee ☕.

Whether you’re hosting brunch or just craving a little comfort, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls you can prep ahead will make your kitchen smell like happiness. Let’s bake memories together! 💛


🎃 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible pumpkin cinnamon rolls:

Dough Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg

Filling:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 3 tbsp melted butter

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast 🌾

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy that’s how you know it’s alive and ready to rise!


Step 2: Make the Dough 🍞

In a large bowl, mix pumpkin purée, sugar, melted butter, egg, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the yeast mixture and gradually mix in the flour. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.


Step 3: Roll and Fill 🍁

Roll out the dough into a rectangle (about ¼ inch thick). Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Roll it up tightly from the long side, then cut into 12 even rolls.


Step 4: Prep Ahead Option 🌙

To prep ahead, place your rolls in a greased baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them rest at room temperature for about 45 minutes before baking.


Step 5: Bake & Frost 🍰

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then top with cream cheese frosting. Serve warm and enjoy that soft, gooey center! 😍


☕ Serving Suggestions

These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are best served warm with your morning coffee, chai latte, or a cozy hot chocolate. You can sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top or drizzle caramel for a festive touch.

If you’re hosting brunch, serve with a side of vanilla yogurt, fruit, and maybe a little whipped cream for an indulgent twist. 💛


🍁 Make-Ahead Storage Tips

If you’ve baked too many (which happens often here 😋), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5. Just reheat for 10–15 seconds in the microwave before serving to bring back that warm, soft texture.

You can also freeze unbaked rolls for up to 1 month just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Print
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🧡 Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead

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Soft, spiced, and full of cozy fall flavor 🎃 These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead are perfect for slow mornings or festive brunches! Mix, chill overnight, and bake fresh for gooey, fluffy perfection all the comfort of homemade without the morning rush. 🍂✨

  • Total Time: 50 minutes (or overnight prep)
  • Yield: 12 rolls

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast

  • ¾ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • ¼ cup melted butter

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

For the Filling:

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice

  • 3 tbsp melted butter

For the Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened

  • 2 tbsp butter, softened

  • ½ cup powdered sugar

  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)

Instructions

1️⃣ Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, mix warm milk with yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

2️⃣ Make the Dough:
Combine pumpkin purée, sugar, butter, egg, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in yeast mixture and gradually add flour. Knead until soft and elastic (about 8 minutes). Cover and let rise 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

3️⃣ Roll & Fill:
Roll dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice evenly. Roll tightly and slice into 12 pieces.

4️⃣ Prep Ahead:
Place rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bring to room temp for 45 minutes before baking.

5️⃣ Bake & Frost:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly, then top with cream cheese frosting. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra fall flavor, add a pinch of cloves or ginger.

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

  • To freeze, wrap unbaked rolls tightly and freeze up to 1 month — thaw overnight before baking.

  • Want vegan? Swap butter for coconut oil and cream cheese frosting for cashew cream. 🌱

  • Author: INAYA
  • Prep Time: minutes (+1 hour rising or overnight rest)
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Fall-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 270 kcal
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 39
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

💬 Conclusion

And there you have it Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead that bring comfort, convenience, and the taste of autumn to your kitchen 🎃✨.
Cooking, for me, is about sharing joy, and these rolls always remind me that good things take time especially when you can make them ahead and wake up to a warm, sweet smell filling your home. 💕

So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and make these pumpkin delights. Because life’s too short for store-bought rolls when homemade ones taste like love. 🥰


🧡 Short 100-Word Story Version

Hi, I’m INAYA from Crete! These Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You Can Prep Ahead are my favorite fall treat. They’re soft, spiced, and filled with cozy pumpkin goodness. I love how I can make them the night before and bake them fresh in the morning no stress, just sweet aroma and warm happiness! 🎃 Perfect for brunch, holidays, or lazy weekends, they’re proof that homemade always tastes better. So grab your pumpkin purée and let’s roll because these cinnamon rolls bring comfort, memories, and joy to every kitchen! 💛

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