Step 1

Whisk together 2-1/2 cups of flour, the sugar, salt, yeast, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl until combined. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat the milk and butter over medium heat (or in the microwave at 50% power), until it reaches 115-120℉. The mixture should be hot to the touch but not boiling.

Step 3

Pour the milk mixture over the dry ingredients, and stir with a nonstick spatula, to combine. The dough may be shaggy. It will come together once we add the other ingredients.

Step 4

Add the pumpkin, egg, and 1/4 cup flour, and stir until a soft dough forms. Add a 1-2 more tablespoons of flour as needed, if the dough seems especially wet. The dough is ready to knead when it becomes elastic and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 5

Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly-floured work surface and gently but firmly knead for 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Place the ball of dough in a lightly-greased bowl and let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Return the dough to your work surface. Be sure to scrape away any stuck-on dough (a bench scraper is great for this) and lightly flour again first.

Step 8

Shape the dough into a flat rectangular disk, then use a lightly-floured rolling pin to roll out the dough into a roughly 8×14-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Dust the top and underside of the dough with flour as you work if the dough becomes sticky. Using a ruler to measure helps to ensure evenly-sized cinnamon rolls, but don’t fret if they aren’t exact.

Step 9

Spread on the butter, followed by the pumpkin butter, in even layers, leaving a half-inch border on the long sides.

Step 10

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Sprinkle on the sugar mixture, then, starting from one of the long sides, slowly and roll up the dough into a tight spiral.

Step 11

Place the log of dough seam-side down, and use a very sharp serrated knife – or preferably, unflavored dental floss – to cut the rolls into 12 pieces.

Step 12

Place the rolls in a lightly greased 9×13-inch pan, leaving even spacing between each. Cover with plastic wrap. If making immediately, place in a warm, draft-free place to rise (I use the microwave). Let rise for 50-75 minutes, until roughly doubled in size.

Step 13

If making overnight pumpkin rolls, wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap, and place in the fridge until the morning. When ready to bake, let rise in a warm place for 60-75 minutes before baking.

Step 14

Preheat the oven to 375℉. Bake until barely-browned, gently puffed, and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, as necessary.

Step 15

In a stand up mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until light and creamy.

Step 16

Starting on low-speed, mix in the sugar. When combined, turn the speed up to medium-high and beat for a full minute, until light and fluffy.

Step 17

Mix in the maple and vanilla. Add a splash of milk or cream as needed for a thinner glaze.

Step 18

Spread over the cinnamon rolls while still warm. Enjoy!