Indulge in the ultimate autumn treat: fluffy pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls covered in a rich, nutty brown butter cream cheese frosting.
Dough Ingredients:
- 400g-450g bread flour (adjust if dough is too sticky)
- 7g instant yeast
- 30g granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 28g butter, softened
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 150g pumpkin puree
Filling Ingredients:
- 113g dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 56g butter, melted
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 42g butter, browned and cooled
- 25g powdered sugar
- 7g vanilla extract
- 30g heavy cream
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, instant yeast, salt, pumpkin pie spice, warm water, pumpkin puree, and an egg. Mix until just combined.
- Add in the softened butter and fold it into the mixture.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it's soft and only slightly sticky to the touch.
- Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm spot for 1 hour, allowing it to rise.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and melted butter until it forms a smooth paste.
Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish (a 9”x13” dish or two 9-inch round pans).
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 16”x14” rectangle.
- Spread the filling mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long end and cut into 12 equal rolls, each about 1-1/2” thick.
- Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Make the Frosting:
- In a saucepan, brown the butter and then let it cool.
- In a bowl, combine the cooled brown butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat together with a hand mixer until smooth and well combined.
Finish the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Spread the brown butter cream cheese frosting over the slightly cooled cinnamon rolls.
Serve these pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls warm, allowing the frosting to melt slightly into the rolls for a truly decadent experience. The combination of pumpkin spice and the brown butter frosting will make these a memorable treat for any autumn morning or holiday gathering. Enjoy the fluffy texture and the complex flavors that each bite offers!