Is there anything that says “autumn is here” quite like the smell of pumpkin spice wafting through your kitchen? These Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls combine everything we love about the season – warm spices, cozy mornings, and that irresistible pull-apart goodness that makes cinnamon rolls so special.
After 20 years of perfecting cinnamon roll recipes for my family, I can honestly say these autumn beauties have become our absolute favourite seasonal treat. The pumpkin adds incredible moisture and richness, while those warm spices create the most heavenly aroma as they bake.
Why These Are Perfect for Autumn
What I love about these pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls is how they capture the essence of autumn in every single bite. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice creates those cozy flavours we all crave when the weather starts to cool.
They’re everything you want in a seasonal treat:
- Incredibly moist and tender thanks to the pumpkin
- Warm autumn spices that make your kitchen smell like heaven
- Perfect for weekend mornings when you want something extra special
- Great for entertaining – they always impress guests
- Make-ahead friendly for stress-free autumn hosting
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough:
- 3½ cups plain flour
- 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
For the Spiced Pumpkin Filling:
- 3 heaped tbsp pumpkin pie filling/puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup plain flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 8 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating the Perfect Cinnamon Roll Dough
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in sugar, melted butter, and egg until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
Assembly Magic
- Roll risen dough into a 16×12 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread pumpkin pie filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle the spices evenly over the filling.
- Starting from the long side, roll tightly into a log.
- Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
Rising and Baking
- Place rolls in a greased 23x33cm baking dish.
- Sprinkle over the crumble topping.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.
- Cool for 10 minutes before frosting.
The Perfect Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Sieve icing sugar.
- Add maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Beat until smooth.
- Drizzle generously over warm (not hot) rolls.
My Top Tips for Pumpkin Success
Pumpkin Puree Quality: Use pure pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling. The texture should be smooth and thick.
Spice Balance: Don’t skip any of the spices – they work together to create that perfect autumn flavor profile.
Dough Texture: The dough is a tried and tested favourite for perfect cinnamon rolls every time. Embrace it – this creates the most tender rolls!
Rising Time: The dough should fully double before proceeding.
Make-Ahead Magic
Night Before Method:
- Make dough and complete first rise
- Assemble rolls in baking dish
- Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight
- In the morning, let come to room temperature (1 hour) before baking
Freezer Option:
- Freeze assembled, unbaked rolls on baking sheet
- Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags
- Bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to baking time
Seasonal Variations to Try
Apple Pumpkin: Add diced apples to the filling for extra autumn flavor Pecan Pumpkin: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling before rolling Caramel Pumpkin: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted rolls
The Perfect Autumn Morning
There’s something so special about waking up to the smell of these pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. The combination of warm spices and that incredible pumpkin-enriched dough creates the most comforting aroma that just screams “autumn is here!”
Storage and Serving
These are absolutely divine served warm when the frosting is still slightly melty. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked warmth.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
The spice blend is carefully balanced to complement the pumpkin without overwhelming it, and that maple glaze adds the perfect finishing touch that ties all the autumn flavours together.
Seasonal Comfort Food Magic
These Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls have become our go-to for every special autumn morning. Whether it’s the first crisp day of fall, Halloween morning, or just a cozy weekend when we want to celebrate the season, these never disappoint.
The combination of that incredibly tender dough, the warm spice filling, and the maple glaze creates pure autumn comfort food magic. They’re indulgent enough to feel special but not so complicated that you can’t make them regularly throughout the season.
What I love most is how they make the whole house smell like autumn – it’s better than any candle! And watching everyone’s faces when they take that first bite and taste all those warm, cozy flavours is absolutely priceless.
Perfect for Autumn Entertaining
These work brilliantly for:
- Weekend family breakfasts when you want something extra special
- Holiday mornings – they feel so festive and seasonal
- Autumn brunch gatherings with friends
- Cozy afternoon treats with coffee or tea
- Thanksgiving morning tradition
The beauty is that they can be prepped ahead, so you can enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen all morning.
Have you tried adding pumpkin to your cinnamon rolls before? I’d love to see your autumn baking creations! Tag me on Instagram and show me those gorgeous golden swirls – there’s nothing quite like that perfect pumpkin spice moment!
Save this recipe for your autumn baking – these beauties are guaranteed to become your new seasonal obsession!
