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Whole Wheat Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are a perfectly fluffy and sweet breakfast food for autumn. They can be made ahead and frozen for quick weekday breakfasts or prepared the night before and baked in the morning.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 cinnamon rolls
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the dough
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 4-5 cups white whole wheat flour
For the filling
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the frosting
  • 3 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the milk, water and butter until the butter is melted. Allow the mixture to cool until warm, should feel like warm bath water (110°F).
  2. In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the warm butter mixture, yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Run the mixer for a few seconds until combined. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Mix in the remaining sugar and eggs until combined. Mix in the pumpkin until combined.
  4. Switching to the dough hook attachment, mix in the white whole wheat flour until the dough comes together in a ball but is still sticky.
  5. Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough ball into the greased bowl and turn the dough once to coat the dough with the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free place to rise for 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  6. Carefully turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Let it rest while you wash the bowl that it rose in and mix up the filling.
Make the filling and assemble
  1. To mix the filling, combine the canola oil, sugar and cinnamon together. It should be like a sugar paste.
  2. Sprinkle the top with some flour and roll into a large rectangle (16" x 20"). Spread the filling evenly on the rectangle, leaving 1/2" border, gently patting down into the dough once spread evenly.
  3. Along the long side, roll into a long tight log. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife, also cutting off a little bit off of each end that doesn't have any filling.
  4. Place in a parchment paper covered 9" x 13" baking dish, making 3 rows of 4 rolls. Cover with plastic wrap. If you're cooking right away, place back in a warm, draft free place to sit for 30 minutes. Otherwise, place in the fridge overnight.
Bake and frost
  1. Remove rolls from the fridge and let sit on the counter for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Bake for 20-30 minutes until they are light golden brown on the top.
  3. Meanwhile, assemble the frosting by beating the cream cheese until loose. Beat in the maple syrup until combined. Beat in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar at a time until combined. Set aside.
  4. Once the rolls are out of the oven, gently spread the frosting on top. Let sit for a few minutes for the frosting to melt a little and spread evenly over the rolls. Serve warm!

Notes

Freeze leftovers: Freeze the separated rolls on a baking sheet. Place in labeled freezer safe bags or containers. Microwave to reheat.