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Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls are an easy cinnamon roll recipe filled with my favorite fall flavor: pumpkin pie spice! These are a heavenly tasting fluffy cinnamon roll that taste like a bite of fall.

close up of pan of cinnamon rolls with icing

Overnight Pumpkin Spice Rolls

There really is nothing I like more than a hot and fluffy homemade cinnamon roll. The sweet and fluffy dough, the cinnamon filing, the frosting – it’s pure heaven to me.

I have so many cinnamon roll recipes on this site because I love switching up the fillings (making them lemon rolls or into gingerbread rolls flavor or so many more). When I was thinking about new flavor ideas, I decided to take the spice of the season – pumpkin pie spice – and devote a cinnamon roll to it! These are easy to make from scratch – and you can even turn them into overnight cinnamon rolls really easily – make your morning breakfast a snap!

ingredients to make cinnamon rolls

Ingredients Needed

  • Flour – All purpose flour is what I used. Be sure to read the directions because we’re starting with 2 cups and adding more as we go.
  • Granulated Sugar – Helps activate the yeast and makes a nice sweet roll dough. We also use it for the filling but you can also substitute brown sugar.
  • Yeast – Be sure to use INSTANT yeast – this recipe was written specifically for that kind. I use Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast but all brands have an instant version (just with a different name).
  • Hot Water – This will activate the yeast. Make sure it’s between 120-130°F.
  • Butter – This will go in the dough and in the filling (and frosting). You can use unsalted or salted.
  • Egg – Always buy large eggs. Egg helps make the dough fluffy and soft.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice – We’re using this in the filling to make a nicely spiced cinnamon roll.

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

How to make cinnamon rolls from scratch

butter and water in measuring cup

1. Whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Because we’re using instant yeast we mix it together with the dry ingredients.

2. Add butter and water to a heat safe measuring cup. Heat in the microwave until it is about 120°F-130°F. The butter won’t totally melt.

dough in mixer

3. Add the wet ingredients into the flour with the egg and start mixing, adding more flour until the dough comes together. At that point the dough is still sticky but not wet, if you tap it with your finger there shouldn’t be any transfer to your fingers.

two fingers and cinnamon roll dough

4. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it comes together (see below). Let it rest for 10 minutes.

slice cinnamon rolls with dental floss

5. Roll out your dough to a large rectangle (about 10×15-inches). Simply spread softened butter all over the rolled out dough then sprinkle with sugar and pumpkin spice. Roll them back up and slice the rolls.

cinnamon rolls in pan

6. Add the rolls to the pan and let sit until doubled in size. To make overnight cinnamon rolls, at the point you add them to the pan you’ll wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, allow the dough to rise while the oven preheats.

How do you knead dough?

Kneading is the process where you push the dough with the palm of your hands. There is science behind kneading the dough, but just know that it creates that delicious homemade bread texture you love.

I actually love to knead; the process is calming and there’s something so special about homemade recipes that take extra work, you know?

You’re going to knead your dough until it’s slightly elastic and it passes the two-finger test: the dough will spring back when you press it with two fingers.

cinnamon roll on white plate with blue napkin behind and fork

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Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Frosting

There are so many different kinds of frosting you can use on cinnamon rolls, but I love this easy pumpkin spice icing.

Simply beat butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and pumpkin spice to make a simple glaze that spreads easily on the warm rolls. Prefer cream cheese frosting? Use my homemade cream cheese frosting recipe and add pumpkin spice to it.

corner of cinnamon roll pan showing roll with icing

Cinnamon Roll Tips

  • Kneading will take 5-10 minutes, depending on if you’ve used a stand mixer to beat your dough or done it by hand.
  • Cutting the dough with unflavored dental floss is so easy and makes perfect cuts.
  • Make these 24 hours ahead and store in the refrigerator (in pan, unbaked) and allow to rise at room temperature while preheating oven. Either place the dough in the fridge after kneading (cover it tightly with plastic wrap in a bowl) or you can make the rolls, cover them with plastic and place them in the refrigerator. The next day, just let the dough or rolls come to room temperatur before finishing the recipe.
  • Store tightly covered on the counter for up to 3 days.
  • You can freeze the rolls (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator and allow to rise on the counter until doubled in size, then bake as directed.

FAQ

How do you know your water is the right temperature for yeast?

I love using an instant-read thermometer, or you can think “hot bathwater.” Time will depend on your microwave. I usually heat 1 1/2 cups of water for cinnamon rolls in my microwave between 1 1/2-2 minutes to reach that temperature.

Why didn’t my cinnamon rolls rise?

1. Your yeast was old – be sure to check the expiration date. 2. The water wasn’t the correct temperature – which is why I recommend a thermometer!
3. Make sure you used the correct yeast (instant not active dry).

How do you know when cinnamon rolls are done?

They’re done baking when they’re golden brown and cooked through.

Can I make this dough in a bread machine?

You can also use Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Yeast in a bread machine, but this recipe is NOT written for a bread machine, so you cannot make these rolls as written using a machine.

close up of pan of cinnamon rolls with icing

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls are so easy to make even if you've never worked with yeast. These rolls are made from scratch and filled with pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon – and the frosting has the warm pumpkin pie spice too!

Recipe Video

Prep Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield 12 rolls
Serving Size 1 roll
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Ingredients
 

For the dough:

  • 4 ½ to 5 cups (558g-620g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
  • 2 packets Instant Yeast (4 ½ teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (355ml) water
  • 6 tablespoons (84g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg

For the filling:

  • ⅓ cup (67g) sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, very soft

For the frosting:

  • 2 ½ cups (283g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2-3 tablespoons (15-45ml) milk regular, nonfat or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

Make the dough:

  • Add 2 cups flour, sugar, dry yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Whisk to combine.
  • Place water and butter in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat, in 30 second increments, until the water reaches 120°-130°F (think hot bath water, use an instant read thermometer for best results). This will take approximately 1 1/2 minutes, depending on your microwave. Butter won’t totally melt.
  • Add water mixture to dry ingredients with the egg. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl a few times.
  • Add 1 cup more flour, beat an additional 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Mix in just enough remaining flour so the dough forms into a ball. The dough will be slightly sticky but not wet.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. You know it’s done when it forms a cohesive ball and springs back when lightly pressed with 2 fingers.
  • Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Fill and Bake:

  • Meanwhile, make the filling by stirring together the sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Roll dough into a 10×15-nch rectangle using a rolling pin. Spread the butter all over the dough in a thin layer. Sprinkle with filling.
  • Beginning at the long side of the dough, roll up tightly. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
  • TIP: use unflavored dental floss to slice your rolls! Cut a piece of floss and slide floss under roll. Bring sides of floss up to cross on top and slice through the dough. Works like a charm!
  • Place rolls in a 9×13-inch baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Cover rolls and let double in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Once risen, bake cinnamon rolls for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and the center is cooked through. Cool 20 minutes before frosting.
  • Make the frosting: add butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and pumpkin pie spice to a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until crumbly. Add 2 tablespoons milk and mix until combined, adding up to 1 more tablespoon milk for desired consistency.
  • Frost slightly cooled rolls.
  • Store covered for up to 2 days.
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Recipe Notes

  • Be sure you’re using INSTANT yeast (i.e. Fleischmann’s Rapid Rise Yeast) not active dry!
  • You can substitute brown sugar for the granulated in the filling, if you prefer.
  • Make Ahead: Make these rolls the night before and store them in the refrigerator, tightly covered with plastic (after step 11). Allow to come to room temperature and rise on the counter near the oven while it preheats.
  • Freezing: Freeze finished rolls for easy reheating. Or freeze the pan of rolls in pan before they rise (tightly covered). Thaw in refrigerator and allow to rise until doubled in size before baking.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

This recipe is slightly adapted from Fleischmann’s® Yeast website, where they have 150 years of baking experience. This is a tried and true recipe you’ll be proud to share! This post was sponsored in 2019 but has been updated.

Other easy recipes made with yeast:

Other recipes perfect for brunch:

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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5 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Does it matter if I used the active dry yeast and not the instant rise? I made the mistake of doing everything but read the recipe notes.

    Reply

    1. Active dry yeast needs to be proofed before it goes into the dry ingredients, whereas instant is mixed with dry first. Did the dough rise?

      Reply