Fluffy Pumpkin Rolls: A Fall Favorite
Looking for the perfect fall dessert or breakfast treat? These Pumpkin Rolls are soft, spiced, and filled with delicious cream cheese frosting. They capture all the best flavors of autumn, with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg paired with sweet, earthy pumpkin. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering or indulging on a cozy morning, these pumpkin rolls are sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Rolls
- Perfect Fall Treat: Packed with pumpkin flavor and warm spices, these rolls scream autumn.
- Creamy Filling: A rich, sweet cream cheese frosting adds the perfect balance to the spiced pumpkin cake.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, making them ideal for holiday prep.
- Festive & Impressive: They’re not only delicious but also look beautiful when sliced, making them a crowd-pleaser for any fall gathering.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Rolls
For the Pumpkin Cake:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for your cake, giving it structure.
- Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, flavor, and that signature fall taste.
- Sugar: Both granulated sugar and powdered sugar are used for sweetness.
- Eggs: Help bind the cake and give it a light texture.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ginger: Warm spices to give the pumpkin rolls that cozy fall flavor.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Cream Cheese: Softened to make a smooth, creamy filling.
- Butter: Adds richness to the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: For sweetness and smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: To enhance the flavor of the filling.
How to Make Pumpkin Rolls
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Pumpkin Cake Batter:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until thick and pale. Stir in the pumpkin puree.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until well combined.
- Bake the Cake:
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
- Once baked, immediately turn the cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Gently peel off the parchment paper. Roll the cake up in the towel, starting from the short end, and let it cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Fill and Roll the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled, unroll it carefully and spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the surface. Roll the cake back up tightly (without the towel), then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Serve:
- Slice the pumpkin roll into rounds and serve! Dust with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Rolls
- Use a Jelly Roll Pan: A jelly roll pan ensures your cake bakes thin and even, perfect for rolling.
- Don’t Skip the Towel Step: Rolling the cake in a towel while it cools helps prevent cracking when you roll it with the filling later.
- Chill Before Slicing: Refrigerating the pumpkin roll helps set the filling and makes it easier to slice cleanly.
Pumpkin Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For the Filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk for desired consistency
Instructions
Activate the yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
Mix the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Add the pumpkin puree, softened butter, egg, and the activated yeast mixture.
- Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Let the dough rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the filling:
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create the filling.
Roll and fill the dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
- Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough.
Roll up the dough:
- Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Let the rolls rise:
- Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise for another 30-40 minutes.
Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the rolls:
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.
Frost and serve:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Why Pumpkin Rolls Are a Fall Must-Have
Pumpkin rolls are the epitome of fall desserts—rich, spiced, and perfectly paired with creamy filling. They’re a great way to impress guests or enjoy a festive treat at home. Whether you’re a pumpkin lover or just looking for a seasonal dessert, these rolls are a must-try.
Ready to Bake Some Pumpkin Rolls?
Gather your ingredients, get your jelly roll pan ready, and bake up a batch of these irresistible pumpkin rolls. Perfect for any fall celebration!