Pumpkin Spice and Mānuka Hot Honey Cinnamon Rolls

Roll Into Fall With Something Sweet & Spicy

Sweet, sticky, a little spicy… and everything we love about fall!

There’s something wonderful about the smell of warm cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and freshly baked treats filling the kitchen. This time, we’re bringing two of our favorites together: i Am Real Honey and i Am Hot Honey.

The result? Soft, fluffy pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a gooey cinnamon and Mānuka honey filling, creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting, and a cheeky drizzle of Hot Honey. Because pumpkin spice is nice… but pumpkin spice with Hot Honey? Now we’re talking!

The Recipe at a Glance

• Makes: 12 rolls
• Prep: 25 minutes
• Rising: Approximately 1½–2 hours
• Baking: 25–30 minutes
• Oven: 350°F (175°C)
• Baking dish: 9 × 13 inches

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Dough

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra if needed
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
• 3 tablespoons i Am Real Honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

For the Honey & Pumpkin Spice Filling

• ⅓ cup softened unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup i Am Real Honey
• 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon i Am Hot Honey

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

The Finishing Touch

• 2–3 tablespoons i Am Hot Honey
• A sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Let’s Get Rolling!

1. Make the Dough

   In a large bowl, mix the flour, instant yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, egg, pumpkin purée, and i Am Real Honey.

   Combine the wet and dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little extra flour if needed, but keep the dough soft.

   Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and leave in a warm spot for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Mix the Filling

   Mix the softened butter, i Am Real Honey, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, flour, and i Am Hot Honey into a thick, spreadable paste. The flour helps keep that beautiful honey filling inside your rolls rather than running all over the baking dish.

3. Roll It Out

   On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 14 × 9 inches. Spread the filling evenly across it, leaving a small border around the edges.

   Try not to eat all the filling before the next step!

4. Roll, Slice & Rise

   Starting from the longer edge, carefully roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 rolls and place in a greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until lovely and puffy.

5. Bake Until Golden

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

   Keep an eye on them toward the end, because honey can brown a little faster than regular sugar. If they’re getting too golden, loosely cover with foil. Your kitchen should now smell absolutely incredible!

6. Make the Frosting

   Beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add a little milk at a time until smooth and creamy. Spread over the warm cinnamon rolls.

7. Bring on the Hot Honey!

   Drizzle with 2–3 tablespoons of i Am Hot Honey and finish with a little pumpkin pie spice if you like. Warm, gooey, creamy, sweet, and just a little bit HOT!

A Little Tip From Our Kitchen

These rolls are best enjoyed warm, when the frosting melts into the cinnamon swirls. And don’t be shy with the Hot Honey. That sweet and spicy combination is what makes them something special.

Our Little New Zealand Twist

We love finding new ways to enjoy our beautiful New Zealand Mānuka honey. In this recipe, i Am Real Honey brings its distinctive flavor and sweetness to the dough and filling, while i Am Hot Honey adds that delicious warming kick.

It’s our little New Zealand twist on an American fall favorite. Because we believe what goes around should come around… preferably with a little honey on top!

Ready to Roll Into Fall?

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, a cozy weekend breakfast, or just because you deserve something delicious, these pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls bring a little warmth to your day.

Shop i Am Honey for your next baking day

i Am sweet. i Am spicy. i Am rolling into fall!