Annika Eats

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls (No knead recipe)

Fluffy and soft yeasted pumpkin cinnamon rolls that is packed with pumpkin puree, brown butter, and cinnamon powder. This easy no knead recipe is warm and comforting for the cold fall mornings. 

If there is one recipe you should challenge yourself to make this fall let it be these no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls which are so simple to make but definitely a little labor of love. It is perfect as a beginner baking recipe but also fantastic for those who have mastered the art of baking bread as it is so simple it will blow your mind! The flavors are classic and delicious. These buns are so fluffy and soft, they are packed with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, cinnamon powder, brown butter, brown sugar and topped with a cream cheese frosting .

If you are feeling unsure about taking this recipe on as a baking project then let me dispel any doubts as this is one of he easiest cinnamon roll recipes you will make. If you do not want to make a pumpkin cinnamon roll check out my classic cinnamon roll recipe and it will not disappoint – I promise you. But for now let us get to the recipe. 

What is a cinnamon roll?

Cinnamon rolls are a sweetened yeasted bread made with dry yeast, milk, sugar, all purpose flour, butter, eggs, baking powder, which is rolled out and spread with cinnamon butter, cut into slices and rolled into scrolls, baked until golden and risen. Which is topped with cream cheese frosting or glaze. 

Now, What is the difference between cinnamon rolls or cinnamon buns?

I call them cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns interchangeably but I have noticed that cinnamon rolls are baked in a large tray that bake into each other making it a pull apart yeasted bread once baked. Cinnamon buns could be baked with space between or in individual muffin moulds for a single cinnamon bun. There is no science to this but that’s the only difference I see in them as the ingredients and equipment needed to make both are the same.

What are pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are whereto dough is packed with pumpkin puree which gives it a gleaming orange color and the filling also has pumpkin in it. I mean this is a delicious halloween party recipe too. If you are looking for a simple treat then this is the best dessert to serve up. 

Why put cream in the bottom of cinnamon rolls? Why put milk on cinnamon rolls before baking?

A lot of recipes recommend pouring heavy cream or milk in the bottom of the baking tray when baking cinnamon rolls as it ensure a soft and fluffy bun once baked. I have tried this and while it is a good step to ensure the buns do not get dry in the would recommend following the recipe as suggested and it will be delicious, even without it. 

What are cinnamon rolls filling made of?

The classic cinnamon roll filling is with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon powder and a pinch of salt. They are many variations on this recipe though, using castor sugar, cardamom powder, cocoa powder and multiple flavors such as Nutella, peanut butter, pistachio paste etc. 

What ingredients are needed to make no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

For the dough we need, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, instant yeast, sugar, salt pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, milk and pumpkin spice. For the filling we need brown butter, brown sugar, cinnamon powder, salt. For the frosting we need cream cheese frosting, butter, icing sugar, vanilla.

What equipment is needed to make no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

I have used a large mixing bowl and rubber spatula to make the dough. For the filling we need a bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients and same goes for the frosting. I have made the frosting by hand but you can use an electric beater if you like. 

How to make make no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

For the dough: In a large bowl combine the warm milk granulated sugar and yeast. Allow to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree until combined. Add 4 cups of flour with the pumpkin spice and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky and that is okay. Cover with a dish towel and set in a warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, the mixture should be very puffy and at least doubled in size. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until totally combined. It should form a dough.

For the filling: Brown the butter and allow to cool. Once cooled, add the brown sugar, cinnamon powder and stir. Add the. Pumpkin puree and stir well. Set aide.

Make the rolls: Preheat the oven to 180℃. Grease a 9×13 baking tray. Turn out dough onto a well floured surface and press it into a rectangular shape. If it is overly sticky, sprinkle generously with additional flour until it’s easier to handle. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 inches by 24 inches. Spread the filling over the dough leaving an edge on the longer edge. Using a pizza cutter cut the dough into 12 even strips. Roll up each. Strip into a little cinnamon roll and place in the baking tray, repeat until done. Cover with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until nice and golden brown on top and around the edges.

For the frosting: While the rolls are baking, making the frosting by combining all the ingredients together until soft and creamy. You can do this in a bowl with a whisk or using an electric beater. Ice rolls the second they come out of the oven. Allow them to sit for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!

Serving no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

These buns are best served warm but I have enjoyed them at room temperature as well. Serve them with a Pumpkin spice latte or a cup of back coffee and you have a deliciously indulgent morning meal. Alternatively the pumpkin cinnamon rolls can be served as a dessert as well with a scoop of coffee ice cream on top. 

FAQ:

Why are my cinnamon rolls not fluffy?

This could be because of many reasons, the yeast did not activate (either because the milk was too hot/cold or it has expired), he dough didn’t get enough time to proof (this depends on the weather and temperature, if you live in a colder climate it will take longer to proof, in a hotter and more humid climate it will take lesser time to proof) or you over baked them.

Why are my cinnamon rolls always dry?

They are over baked or the oven temperature is to hot. 

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard?

They were over baked and the yeast did not bloom well enough, hence the dough was not proofed long enough.

Do you roll cinnamon rolls tight or loose?

Tight. We always want to roll the dough tight to get clean edges of the cinnamon filling. 

Can I make them vegan or dairy free?

Swap the butter for a dairy. Free butter spread and you are good too go. As for the cream cheese frosting use your favorite cream cheese substitute to make it.

Storing no knead pumpkin cinnamon rolls?

The dough can be made the night before, covered and stored in the fridge overnight to proof. Next morning knock back and shape while the dough is chilled. Alternatively you can shape the dough rolls, cover and allow them to proof over night in the fridge, next morning bake let them come to room tepmperature before baking. The leftovers can be stored in air tight containers at room temperature for 2 days (if they are frosted), if they. Are not frosted they can keep at room temperature for 5 days. Store them in the fridge for 10 days and in the freezer for 1 month. I prefer storing them in zip lock bags in the freezer.

Looking for more pumpkin recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this No knead pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration. 

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.  

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls (No knead recipe)

Fluffy and soft yeasted pumpkin cinnamon rolls that is packed with pumpkin puree, brown butter, and cinnamon powder. This easy no knead recipe is warm and comforting for the cold fall mornings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Proofing Time 2 hours
Course Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, tea time
Cuisine American
Servings 12 large buns

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • 9x13 Baking tray
  • Spoons
  • Pizza Cutter

Ingredients
  

For The Dough:

  • 1 1/2 cup whole milk warmed
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 5 cup all-purpose flour divided, plus more for rolling dough
  • 2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

For The Filling:

  • 1/2 cup salted butter (browned and melted)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

For The Frosting:

  • 1 cup cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. whole milk plus additional as needed
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter melted
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions
 

For the dough:

  • In a large bowl combine the warm milk granulated sugar and yeast. Allow to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree until combined.

  • Add 4 cups of flour with the pumpkin spice and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky and that is okay.
  • Cover with a dish towel and set in a warm place for 1 hour. 
 It should form a dough.

  • After 1 hour, the mixture should be very puffy and at least doubled in size. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, baking powder and salt until totally combined.

For the filling:

  • Brown the butter and allow to cool.
  • Once cooled, add the brown sugar, cinnamon powder and stir. Add the. Pumpkin puree and stir well. Set aide. 


Make the rolls:

  • Preheat the oven to 180℃. Grease a 9x13 baking tray.
  • Turn out dough onto a well floured surface and press it into a rectangular shape. If it is overly sticky, sprinkle generously with additional flour until it's easier to handle. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 inches by 24 inches.
  • Spread the filling over the dough leaving an edge on the longer edge.
  • Using a pizza cutter cut the dough into 12 even strips. Roll up each. Strip into a little cinnamon roll and place in the baking tray, repeat until done.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until nice and golden brown on top and around the edges.
For the frosting:

For the frosting:

  • While the rolls are baking, making the frosting by combining all the ingredients together until soft and creamy. You can do this in a bowl with a whisk or using an electric beater.
  • Ice rolls the second they come out of the oven. Allow them to sit for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!

Notes

  • The dough will be sticky and soft so feel free to use more flour when roll up the dough.
  • If you don’t have a pizza cutter you could cut strips with a knife or roll the dough into a log and portion out the dough with dental floss.
  • You can bake these rolls with 1/2 cup heavy cream poured into the baking tray just before placing in the oven however I enjoy them without it as we’ll since they are super fluffy.
  • I like my frosting less sweet hence I have only used 1/4 cup icing sugar but you can use 1/2 cup icing sugar as well.

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