The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Marilyn from the sunny island of Crete in Greece! Growing up, I spent many afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the smell of cinnamon and baked bread filled the air. She never measured anything, just used her heart and that’s where I learned that cooking is love made visible.
When autumn rolls around, I love filling my home with the cozy scent of pumpkin and spice. That’s how these small-batch pumpkin cinnamon rolls came to life soft, fluffy, and swirled with golden pumpkin goodness. They’re the perfect treat when you want something sweet and comforting but don’t need a whole tray of rolls.
These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are easy to make, and because it’s a small batch, you can enjoy them fresh without leftovers. Whether you’re baking for yourself, a friend, or a lazy Sunday brunch, this recipe brings warmth, flavor, and that unmistakable “baked with love” feeling.
In Crete, we celebrate every meal even a simple one as an act of connection. I hope this recipe helps you share that same feeling in your kitchen. Let’s get baking and fill your home with the irresistible aroma of pumpkin cinnamon rolls that taste like a cozy autumn hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for this small-batch pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe (makes 4):
For the Dough 🍞
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- ½ teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling 🍂
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin purée
For the Frosting 🍶
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon milk (as needed for consistency)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a small bowl, whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until slightly foamy this means your yeast is awake and ready to work.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin purée, melted butter, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon until a soft dough forms.
Lightly flour your counter and knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. It should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, softened butter, and pumpkin purée until combined. This will be your aromatic, spiced filling that gives your pumpkin cinnamon rolls their signature swirl.
3. Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out into a small rectangle (about 8×6 inches). Spread the filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
Roll the dough up tightly from the short side, forming a log. Cut into 4 equal pieces.
4. Second Rise
Place the rolls in a lightly greased 6-inch round baking dish or small loaf pan. Cover and let them rise again for about 25–30 minutes until puffy.
5. Bake the Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and the centers are cooked through.
6. Make the Frosting
While the rolls bake, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk to get your desired drizzle consistency.
7. Frost and Serve
Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes, then spread or drizzle the frosting on top. Watch it melt beautifully into every swirl!
Serving Suggestions
These small-batch pumpkin cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate. Sprinkle a touch of extra cinnamon or crushed pecans on top for a nutty crunch.
They’re perfect for cozy mornings, a brunch treat, or a sweet ending to a comforting dinner. If you’d like to prepare them ahead, refrigerate the unbaked rolls overnight and bake them fresh in the morning for that irresistible “just baked” aroma.
Tips for Success
💡 Use fresh pumpkin purée for the best flavor homemade or canned both work well.
💡 If your dough feels dry, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until soft.
💡 For a richer taste, substitute part of the milk with heavy cream.
💡 You can easily double the recipe if you want to share these pumpkin cinnamon rolls with family or friends.
🍁 Recipe Card
⏰ Time:
Prep: 15 min | Rise: 1 hr 15 min | Bake: 20 min | Total: ~1 hr 50 min
🧺 Ingredients:
- ¾ cup flour, ½ tsp yeast, 2 tbsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ cup milk, 2 tbsp pumpkin purée, 1 tbsp butter, ½ tsp vanilla
- Filling: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp pumpkin purée
- Frosting: 2 tbsp cream cheese, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla, 1 tsp milk
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Activate yeast in warm milk with sugar.
- Mix dough ingredients; knead until smooth.
- Let rise 45 minutes.
- Roll, spread filling, and slice into 4 rolls.
- Rise again 25 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Frost with cream cheese glaze.
📝 Note:
For extra spice, add nutmeg or clove to the filling. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
🍴 Nutrition (Per Roll):
Calories: ~230 | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 35g | Protein: 4g
Short 100-Word Version
Hi, I’m Marilyn from Crete! These small-batch pumpkin cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced ideal for cozy mornings or small gatherings. Made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and a sweet cream cheese glaze, they fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort. The recipe makes just four rolls, so there’s no waste just fresh, gooey goodness. They’re simple to make, even for beginners, and ready in under two hours. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, these rolls bring a taste of autumn and a whole lot of love to your table. 🍁
Conclusion
Cooking has always been about sharing stories for me. These pumpkin cinnamon rolls remind me of slow mornings in Crete when the scent of baking filled our home. They’re proof that joy doesn’t come from fancy ingredients but from the love you pour into each swirl of dough.
So go ahead tie up your apron, turn on your favorite music, and bake these rolls with heart. Because sometimes, the sweetest moments are found in small batches and warm kitchens. 💛