Monday, December 15, 2008

Pumpkin 'n Spice Cinnamon Streusel Buns

Yet again I find myself with a huge can of pumpkin, just waiting to be thrown into a treat. It's clearly the perfect excuse to continually make, bake and cook us sweets. I have been browsing around for temporary health insurance and though I'm not a smoker and have no pre-existing heart condition, should I confess my daily consumption of desserts to the powers that be? Uh probably not. I wonder if addiction to desserts counts as a health condition.

I have a whole bevvy of pumpkin recipes to share, but in between the sweet potato buttermilk rolls, homemade apple butter, and somewhat orangish turkey soup I didn't want anyone to get the idea that I was obsessed with orange foods. Quite the contrary - orange is my least favorite candy flavor. Hmm, though maybe one of my favorite fruits. I'm so confusing.

In any case, I made these delectable cinnamon rolls for our breakfast last weekend. They're warm, gooey, not to sweet and full of spice (as a result of adding lots o' cinnamon to the filling and dough!).

These are much easier than a previous Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll recipe I posted, though they're not nearly as sinful. This is a lightened recipe that gets the job done and satiates a cinnamon bun hunger, but if you're really looking to ward off the health insurance companies, try this guy.


Oh, and if you're anything like me and also looking to use up some pumpkin, this recipe only uses a 1/4 cup. Guess I'll just have to make some more desserts!

Check out Yeastspotting for some great inspiration!

Pumpkin 'n Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Adapted from Cooking Light

1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup pumpkin, room temperature
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Nonstick Cooking spray

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 heaping teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces


Glaze:
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract


To prepare the buns, dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Add 3 cups flour, pumpkin, milk, butter, sugar, salt, and spices; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. If using a Kitchenaid, knead with a dough hook until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); while kneading, add enough of the remaining 3/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky). Otherwise, knead by hand on a lightly floured surface.

Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place , free from drafts for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in size. Press two fingers into the dough. If an indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.

Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Punch dough down; cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll the dough into a 12 x 10-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Roll up the rectangle tightly, starting with a long edge, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; pinch seam and ends to seal. Cut roll into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place slices in a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 25 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Bake the rolls at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

To prepare the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking in between until smooth. Drizzle glaze over buns. Serve warm.

44 comments:

kat said...

Oh my bring them on these looks so yummy!

RecipeGirl said...

Yummmmmmmmm! These look really delicious. My kinda breakfast :)

Esi said...

Oh, I am sooo obsessed with pumpkin cinnamon rolls. I love that you found a healthier version.

Unknown said...

wow!!!! some sticky gooey goodness!

Unknown said...

That looks delicious but working with yeast scares me. I don't know why but it does.

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

this looks finger licking good!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

These look amazing! YUM!

Unknown said...

ummm... these are a reason to OPEN a can of pumpkin :) i want some. NOW! please? hehe

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

These look perfect for breakfast or with tea.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

EXTREME SCRUMPTIOUSNESS!!! Love it.

The Blonde Duck said...

You can't go wrong with pumpkin and cinnamon. I'm so hungry right now! I want some of these buns! Yum!

Jenny said...

Oh my girl, I could eat a whole plate of these beauties in no time. They look so good!

Katrina said...

Goodness, those look SO good!

KirkK said...

If there was ever a need for a smell-a-monitor this is it.....

Elle said...

They look so perfect and I want some, right now. Think i can whip some up at 12:19 am?

That Girl said...

These look unbelievably fantastic

Pam said...

Now I am craving these beautiful rolls and it's 10:30 at night. They are perfect...simply perfect.

Maria said...

Oh wow! Those buns look fantastic! I love the sticky gooey sugary rush!

grace said...

if you ask me, the word "heaping" should always precede "tablespoons of cinnamon"... :)
i like the looks of your buns, sharon. :)

Anonymous said...

So wonderful for a festive breakfast. They look absolutely light and delicious!

shanna said...

This looks great--I made something similar for Thanksgiving morning, and they were almost gone by the time the turkey came out of the oven! :)

Mo said...

Holy YUM! I am SOOO making these for Christmas morning. Dangerous when it will only be hubby and me... ;)

Anonymous said...

I died 10x over seeing this. Wow, I mean I am in love. You should not be aloud anymore random cans of pumpkin. Perfect for a holiday breakfast!

Bunny said...

I need to make these, your picture is fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, these look simply divine! I bet the pumpkin and cinnamon made your whole house smell lovely :)

La Bella Cooks said...

Oh wow, those look absolutely perfect. I bet they smelled heavenly while baking.

MaryBeth said...

OMG...YUMMO

Anonymous said...

I am soooooo going to make these! OMG - they look fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I am showing this to my wife. It looks AMAZING!!!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

I kind of like orange foods! They are bright and cheerful and orangey and I bet delicious in this case!

Unknown said...

Wow! Those look so yummy, I am drooling! :)

Rebeca said...

I think I'm going to surprise my mom with these on Christmas morning because she loves pumpkin and cinnamon buns. It may just make her day :)

Mary Bergfeld said...

These look absolutely gorgeous. Talk about finger lickin good......

daphne said...

that looks awesome!!!!! I would love that anyday.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness those look good!
Beautiful.

vanillasugarblog said...

Wow, these are lighter? Good grief they look sooo tasty. That is the perfect place to put pumpkin in. You'll get a lot of people drooling over this one for sure.

test it comm said...

Those look so good!

Eunice said...

THIS IS AMAZING! I love having found your blog! I'm staying tuned!

Anonymous said...

I like the wedding gown on you. Perfect!:)

anudivya said...

That is one beautiful dish! Love the color and the texture of it.

Anonymous said...

Hi pretty lady!! I'm so late on this but I must tell you...love you blog!!! We made these for our Christmas breakfast. Thanks bunches and take care!

Anonymous said...

Its look really delicious, I feel hungry.

Deni said...

How can I add pumpkin to your other gooey delights recipe? How would you suggest an ingredient adjustment for that? I can withstand the fat/deliciousness that those will be.

Anonymous said...

This did not work out for me at all...when they baked it did not rise in anyway!