If you love everything pumpkin and cinnamon, then get ready to fall head over heels for these Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are not just any ordinary cinnamon roll; their charming pumpkin shape adds a festive touch that’s perfect for autumn gatherings or cozy weekend breakfasts. The rich, buttery dough infused with a pop of orange color sets the stage, while the warm cinnamon-spiced filling melts into every bite. And that cream cheese frosting? It’s lush, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet to crown these delightful rolls. These pumpkin-shaped treats bring both fun and flavor, making them irresistible for family, friends, and yourself!

Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the first step to making these inviting Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. Each component plays an essential role, from the soft dough to the rich filling and the creamy frosting that finishes it all off beautifully.

Warm milk: This activates the yeast and helps create a soft, tender dough.

Instant yeast: The magical ingredient that makes your dough rise to fluffy perfection.
Egg: Adds richness and elasticity to the dough.

Butter: Both for the dough and filling, it ensures moistness and a buttery flavor throughout.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors.

Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure and elasticity for shaping those perfect rolls.
Orange food coloring: Gives the dough its warm pumpkin hue—perfect for visual appeal.

Thread: Used to create the adorable pumpkin shape by gently tying the rolls during baking.
Brown sugar: Key for that deep, caramel-like sweetness in the filling.
Ground cinnamon: Spices up the filling with classic warmth and aroma.

Vanilla sugar or extract: Adds a subtle, fragrant sweetness that complements cinnamon.
Cream cheese: The creamy base of your frosting delivering a tangy richness.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a luscious consistency.

How to Make Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Bloom the Yeast

Start by mixing warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. This gives the yeast a cozy environment to wake up and start bubbling, which signals it’s ready to work its magic in the dough. Waiting about ten minutes for a foamy surface tells you everything is perfectly set.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Once your yeast is lively and bubbly, add the egg, salt, and half of the flour. Mix gently but thoroughly until the dough begins to form. Introduce the butter piece by piece to create a soft, rich texture, then slowly add the remaining flour. Adding orange food coloring last will evenly tint your dough that warm pumpkin shade, making these rolls truly festive and fun. Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for 1.5 hours — it will double in size and become beautifully airy.

Step 3: Make the Filling

Combine butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl. This filling blends sweet, buttery, and spiced notes into a smooth mixture that will transform the dough into irresistible swirls of flavor.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

After your dough has risen, dust your surface with flour and roll it out into a large rectangle. Spread the cinnamon butter evenly, covering every inch generously to ensure each bite carries that classic cinnamon roll sweetness.

Step 5: Cut and Shape the Rolls

Roll the dough carefully from the long side to create a log. Instead of a knife, use thick, clean sewing thread to slice the dough into 10 even rolls — it’s cleaner and keeps those beautiful spirals intact. Arrange each roll on four pieces of thread crisscrossed beneath. Gently tie the threads around each roll, making sure they’re secure but not too tight so the dough still has room to expand into its pumpkin shape while baking.

Step 6: Final Rest and Bake

Allow the tied rolls to rest for 30 more minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the tops lightly with egg wash for a shiny, golden finish. Pop them in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the rolls turn beautifully golden brown and smell heavenly.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your rolls bake, beat together cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, creating a sweet, creamy frosting that’s the perfect balance to the cinnamon spiced rolls.

Step 8: Cool and Frost

Let the rolls cool slightly before carefully removing the threads. Slather on the cream cheese frosting generously, allowing it to melt a little into those warm rolls. For an adorable finishing touch, add a small pretzel stick or green candy on top to mimic pumpkin stems. These cute details make your Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting as delightful to look at as they are delicious to eat.

How to Serve Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or a few pumpkin spice dustings over the cream cheese frosting to enhance the autumn vibe. Top with chopped pecans or crunchy roasted pepitas for an added texture contrast that complements the soft rolls beautifully.

Side Dishes

Serve these pumpkin-shaped delights alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai, freshly brewed coffee, or apple cider. Fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples provides a refreshing balance to the richness and sweetness, turning your meal into a comforting fall brunch or dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting on a rustic wooden board surrounded by pumpkin seeds, cinnamon sticks, and small pumpkins for a festive centerpiece. Wrapping individual rolls in parchment paper tied with twine makes for charming grab-and-go treats, perfect for gifting or sharing at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps their texture soft and the frosting deliciously creamy. For longer freshness, refrigeration is okay but bring to room temperature before serving to enjoy them at their best.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap the cooled rolls tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to three months. Freeze before frosting for easier handling and to prevent the frosting from melting or changing texture.

Reheating

Gently warm refrigerated or thawed pumpkin-shaped rolls in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. This revives their soft texture and brings back the dough’s fresh-baked aroma. If you froze unfrosted rolls, bake them straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, let it rise once, then refrigerate it overnight. The next day, roll it out, fill, shape, and let it rise again before baking. This slow fermentation develops more flavor and makes your baking schedule flexible.

What if I don’t have orange food coloring?

No worries. The orange color adds a fun pumpkin look but does not affect the flavor. You can skip it or use natural coloring, like a bit of pumpkin puree in the dough, though this may change the texture slightly.

Can I replace the thread with something else?

The thread is ideal for shaping because it’s thin and won’t mark or tear the dough. If you don’t have thread, you can try thin strips of parchment paper or vegetable twine, but be gentle and ensure they’re clean and oven-safe.

Is the frosting too sweet? Can I adjust it?

You can definitely tweak the frosting sweetness by reducing the powdered sugar. Taste as you mix and stop when you reach the preferred balance of tangy cream cheese and sweetness.

Can these rolls be made vegan?

With some substitutions like plant-based milk, vegan butter, and cream cheese alternatives, these rolls can be adapted easily for a vegan diet. The yeast and flour remain the same, so the texture and rise should still be great!

Final Thoughts

If you want to impress with a cozy, show-stopping treat, you can’t go wrong with these Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. Not only are they a joy to bake and share, but their combination of buttery dough, warm cinnamon filling, and luscious frosting feels like a warm hug in every bite. Give this recipe a try and bring a little extra seasonal magic to your kitchen—they’re sure to become a beloved tradition!

Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Yield: 10 pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delightfully festive and delicious pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls with a sweet cinnamon brown sugar filling, topped with creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. Perfect for autumn celebrations, these rolls combine soft, buttery dough tinted with orange food coloring, and a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, and rich cream cheese frosting for an irresistible treat.

Instructions

Bloom the Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm milk with the instant yeast and granulated sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast bubbles and foams, indicating it is active.

Prepare the Dough: Stir in the egg and salt, then add about half of the flour. Mix until a rough dough forms. Gradually incorporate the butter, adding one cube at a time, mixing thoroughly each time until fully incorporated. Add the remaining flour until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Add orange food coloring to tint the dough evenly and knead lightly. Cover and let the dough rest in a warm place for 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla sugar or extract until smooth and spreadable.
Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-butter filling evenly across the dough.

Cut and Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Using a clean, thin sewing thread, cut the log into 10 evenly sized rolls. Place each roll on four pieces of string arranged in a crisscross pattern. Loosely tie the strings around each roll to create the pumpkin shape, allowing space for the dough to expand during baking.
Final Rest and Bake: Let the pumpkin-shaped rolls rest for another 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with egg wash for a golden finish. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Make the Frosting: While baking, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy and smooth.

Cool and Frost: After baking, allow the rolls to cool slightly. Remove the strings carefully and frost the rolls with the cream cheese frosting. Optionally, top each roll with a small pretzel stick or green candy to mimic a pumpkin stem.
Enjoy: Serve these festive pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls warm or at room temperature for a delightful seasonal treat.

Notes

Use fresh yeast for best rising results.

Orange food coloring is optional but enhances the pumpkin effect.
The threads should be tied loosely to prevent dough from being compressed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving.

For a vegan version, substitute dairy and egg ingredients with plant-based alternatives and ensure vegan sugar.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American, Scandinavian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll (approx. 100g)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 22 g

Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g

Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g

Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: pumpkin cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, halloween treat, cinnamon roll recipe, festive baking