Hey there, lovely kitchen enthusiasts! Today, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: how to make the most irresistible homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Picture this - a cozy fall morning, the aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin wafting through your kitchen. Are you with me? Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
For the Rolls:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 1 cup of warm milk
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup of pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 4 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ¾ cup of brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter softened
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it's all frothy. It's like yeast waking up from a nap!
Step 2: Mix the Good Stuff
- In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, sugar, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add in the flour, one cup at a time. Mix until it forms a soft dough.
Step 3: Knead and Rise
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for an hour. It should double in size, like a happy dough pillow.
Step 4: Roll it Out
- Roll out the dough into a 16x21-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter all over it.
Step 5: Cinnamon Bliss
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the dough. Now, roll it up like a snug little sleeping bag.
Step 6: Slice and Arrange
- Cut the dough into 12 even slices and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. They're like little cinnamon soldiers ready for action!
Step 7: Rise Again
- Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes. They'll puff up and get all cozy with each other.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake those rolls for about 25-30 minutes until they're golden brown.
Step 9: Creamy Finale
- While the rolls cool a bit, whip together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until it's as smooth as a gentle autumn breeze. Spread that glorious frosting all over your rolls.
Step 10: Enjoy the Bliss
- Grab a roll (or two), a warm drink, and savor the cinnamon-spiced, pumpkin-filled goodness. These rolls are the ultimate fall comfort treat.
So there you have it, folks! Your kitchen just turned into a cozy bakery, and you're the star baker. Enjoy your homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls – they're like a warm hug for your taste buds on a crisp autumn day.
Happy baking! 🎃🍂