Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls bring a fun and festive twist to the classic treat, making them perfect for fall or any occasion when you want to impress with both flavor and presentation. These rolls are not only soft and buttery but also shaped like little pumpkins, thanks to a clever crisscross of thread. Filled with a warm cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with creamy vanilla frosting, these cinnamon rolls are as delicious as they are adorable. The addition of orange food coloring gives them a bright, pumpkin-like hue, making them a charming addition to any breakfast or dessert table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love these cinnamon rolls for their delightful shape and rich, buttery flavor. The dough is soft and fluffy, while the filling of cinnamon and brown sugar creates the perfect sweet and spiced center. The cream cheese frosting adds a rich and creamy finish, complementing the warmth of the cinnamon filling. Plus, the pumpkin shape is not only cute but also surprisingly easy to achieve with the help of some thread. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to enjoy with your family, these cinnamon rolls are sure to be a hit.

The Perfect Occasion

These pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls are perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving breakfast, or any time you want to bring a touch of autumn into your baking. Their playful shape makes them a great choice for family-friendly baking, and they’re a fun way to get creative in the kitchen. Serve them warm with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a comforting treat, or bring them to a brunch or potluck for an impressive and festive dessert. They’re also ideal for holiday mornings when you want to treat your loved ones to something special.

Decoration Tips

To enhance the pumpkin theme, you can add a small piece of pretzel stick or a green candy on top of each cinnamon roll after baking to mimic the look of a pumpkin stem. You can also sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or orange zest over the frosting for added flavor and decoration. If you want to go all out, serve the cinnamon rolls on a platter surrounded by small pumpkins or autumn leaves for a beautiful seasonal presentation. For a final touch, drizzle a bit of extra frosting over the top or pipe some decorative swirls to make them look even more inviting.

Ingredients for the Dough (Makes 10 Rolls):

• 1/2 cup (1 dl) warm milk
• 1 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 40g butter, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (1/2 dl) granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 cups (5 dl) all-purpose flour
• Orange food coloring
• 40 pieces of thick thread (washed and dried), 15-20 cm long

Ingredients for the Filling:

• 90g butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 dl) brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 170g cream cheese
• 75g butter, room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups (3.5 dl) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Bloom the Yeast: In a bowl, mix the warm milk with the yeast and sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast begins to bubble and foam.
2. Prepare the Dough: Once the yeast has bloomed, add the egg, salt, and about half of the flour to the bowl. Mix until a dough starts to form. Gradually add the butter, one cube at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Continue adding the remaining flour until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. Add orange food coloring and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed. Cover the dough and let it rest for 1.5 hours in a warm place until it doubles in size.
3. Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix until you have a smooth, spreadable filling.
4. Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-butter mixture evenly over the surface.
5. Cut and Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough from the long side into a log. Use a clean, thin sewing thread to slice the log into 10 even rolls. Place each roll on 4 pieces of string arranged in a crisscross pattern. Tie the strings loosely around each roll to create the pumpkin shape, making sure not to tie them too tightly so the dough can expand during baking.
6. Final Rest and Bake: Let the pumpkin-shaped rolls rest for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with egg wash. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
7. Make the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is creamy and smooth.
8. Cool and Frost: Once the rolls are baked and slightly cooled, remove the strings and frost with the cream cheese frosting. You can also add a small pretzel stick or green candy on top of each roll for a “pumpkin stem” effect.

Enjoy these fun and delicious pumpkin-shaped cinnamon rolls with their creamy, sweet frosting!

Enjoy!