Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

For this recipe, you will need a total of 12 Tablespoons of browned butter, since when you brown butter some evaporates I suggest browning 15 Tablespoons of butter. You will use melted brown butter in the dough and the filling but for the frosting, you will need room temperature butter. So my suggestion is to brown all of the butter first then use what you need for the dough and filling and then place the rest in a container to chill in the fridge overnight while the cinnamon rolls rise. Then when you take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature take the cold brown butter to soften too.

In the bowl of an electric mixer dissolve yeast in warm water, let sit for 5 minutes. Once fully dissolved mix together and add sugar, browned butter, egg, milk powder, salt, and pumpkin puree. Make sure everything is evenly combined and there are no traces of egg yolk left behind.

Now add in 3 1/4 cups of flour and the pumpkin pie spice. Mix until mostly combined then attach the dough hook and mix. If the dough is very sticky to the bowl add 1/4 more flour and mix again, you may need the final 1/4 cup of flour or you may not. The dough should be soft and moist but not overly sticky. Mix on medium speed to knead the dough for 8 minutes you may want to scrape the sides of the bowl every couple of minutes. You can also knead the dough by hand on a floured work surface.

Preheat the oven to 200F/93C and then turn the oven off, this is creating a warm environment for the dough to rise in. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray or oil and place the dough inside, move the dough around, this is helping prevent a skin from forming. Place a clean kitchen towel on top of the bowl and place the bowl in warm but not turned on oven.

Check the dough after 45 minutes to an hour, the dough needs to double in size. Use clean hands to punch the dough to release any air bubbles. Place the dough on a floured work surface. Roll dough into a 16inchX 14inch rectangle. Brush the dough with melted browned butter. In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Sprinkle sugar mixture on top of the dough.

Roll the dough tightly, I like to score the cinnamon roll log into 12 even pieces before slicing. You can use unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife for a clean cut. Place the rolls into a 9"X13" baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge overnight or let rise immediately until doubled in size (30 ish minutes) and bake.

When you wake up (if using overnight method), take cinnamon rolls out of the fridge and set on the counter to rise for 45 ish minutes. (If rising immediately, let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 350F/180C and bake for 22-27 minutes. You can use a digital internal thermometer to check the cinnamon rolls have fully baked by checking the temperature has reached 190F/88C.

While the rolls are baking or cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened browned butter together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Gradually add the confectioners sugar and mix on low speed until combined, then increase speed and beat until light and fluffy.

Let the rolls sit for 5-10 minutes before adding the icing. Spread the frosting generously over the warm rolls and serve.