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Ultimate Maple Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls with Easy Cream Cheese Icing

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These Ultimate Maple Cinnamon Pumpkin Rolls are incredibly soft, moist, and filled with real maple flavor and warm spices. Topped with a tangy cream cheese icing, they’re the perfect fall treat for brunch, Thanksgiving, or any cozy morning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup (180ml) warm milk (whole milk preferred, 2% is fine)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (one packet) active dry yeast
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup (120g) pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup (real maple syrup)
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, very soft but not melted (for filling)
  • ¾ cup (165g) packed brown sugar (dark or light)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for filling)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger (for filling)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (for filling)
  • 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened (for icing)
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened (for icing)
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for icing)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (for icing, to thin)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F/43°C), 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar, and the yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. Make the dough: Add the remaining sugar, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, about 1 cup at a time, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Knead with a dough hook (5-7 minutes) or by hand (8-10 minutes) until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
  3. First rise: Lightly oil the bowl, place the dough ball in it, and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until smooth and spreadable. Set aside at room temperature.
  5. Roll and fill: Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into an 18×12-inch rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on the long edges. Starting from the long side, roll tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal.
  6. Cut the rolls: Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal rolls, each about 1.5 inches thick.
  7. Second rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spacing about ½ inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and touching.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and filling is bubbly. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  9. Make the icing: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract; beat until combined. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
  10. Ice and serve: Let rolls cool in pan for 5 minutes. Pour icing over warm rolls and spread gently. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the flour in the filling—it prevents leaking. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. For make-ahead, assemble rolls, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Double the icing if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin rolls, cinnamon rolls, maple, cream cheese icing, fall baking, Thanksgiving, brunch

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/ultimate-maple-cinnamon-pumpkin-rolls-with-easy-cream-cheese-icing/