A gooey, pumpkin-spiked breakfast casserole that tastes like the center of a cinnamon roll—warm, soft, sweet, and full of fall flavor. I make this comforting dish with refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, rich pumpkin puree, and a dreamy icing drizzle that brings it all together. It’s one of those easy bakes that feels fancy but comes together with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this casserole blends the warmth of cinnamon rolls with the richness of pumpkin. It’s incredibly easy to prepare since I use store-bought cinnamon roll dough, yet the end result tastes homemade and indulgent. This dish is perfect for a fall brunch, holiday morning, or just a cozy weekend breakfast. It fills the kitchen with the most amazing aroma and is always a hit with family and guests.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Two 8‑count tubes refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, with icing
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3 large eggs
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¾ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
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½ cup milk
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½ cup light brown sugar, packed
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
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1 cup confectioners’ sugar
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2 tablespoons cream or milk
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Optional for serving: vanilla ice cream or whipped topping
directions
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I preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9×9‑inch pan with foil, then spray it with cooking spray.
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I cut each tube of cinnamon roll dough into 9 pieces (cut into 3 strips, then into 3 again), scatter them in the pan, and set aside the icing.
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In a bowl, I whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, both sugars, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
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I pour the pumpkin mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the pan.
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I warm the reserved icing slightly and drizzle it over the top.
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I place the pan on a baking sheet (just in case it bubbles over) and bake for about 40 minutes, until the center is set and golden brown.
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While the casserole cools slightly, I whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and cream to make the frosting.
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I drizzle the frosting over the top and serve right away—sometimes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped topping.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields 8 generous servings.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 40 minutes
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Total Time: About 1 hour (including a few minutes of cooling and icing)
Variations
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I sometimes swap in maple syrup for some of the sugar for a deeper fall flavor.
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For extra crunch, I sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking.
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If I want a less sweet version, I skip the final frosting and just use the reserved cinnamon roll icing.
storage/reheating
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I gently microwave individual portions until warm—about 30 to 45 seconds. It still tastes amazing, though the texture softens a bit. I don’t recommend freezing, since the dough and custard can get soggy.
FAQs
What kind of pumpkin should I use?
I always use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The filling already has sugar and spices added, which would throw off the balance of the recipe.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
I can assemble it just a bit ahead and store it in the fridge for an hour or two, but I bake it soon after since the dough and egg mixture don’t sit well for long periods.
Do I have to use both the icing and the frosting?
Nope! If I want to keep things simple or slightly less sweet, I can use just one or the other. The reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls is plenty for some folks.
What size pan should I use?
I stick to a 9×9-inch baking pan. It keeps the casserole thick and gooey. If I double the recipe, I go for a 9×13-inch pan and extend the baking time a bit.
Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?
Absolutely. If I have the time and energy, I go for homemade dough. Just make sure it’s fully prepared (risen and ready to bake) before using it in this recipe.
Conclusion
This Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Casserole is my go-to cozy brunch treat in the fall. It’s rich, indulgent, and ridiculously easy to make. Whether I’m serving it for a family breakfast or bringing it to a holiday gathering, it never fails to impress. The warm spices, pumpkin custard, and soft cinnamon rolls baked into one bubbly dish—what’s not to love?
Print
Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (10 min prep + 40 min cook + ~10 min additional cooling and frosting)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A gooey, pumpkin‑spiked breakfast casserole that tastes like the center of a cinnamon roll, made easy using refrigerated dough and topped with a sweet icing.
Ingredients
- Two 8‑count tubes refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, with icing
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream or milk
- Optional for serving: vanilla ice cream or whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F. Line a 9×9‑inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Cut each tube of cinnamon roll dough into 9 pieces (cut into 3 strips, then cut those into 3 pieces). Scatter the pieces in the prepared pan, separating them so they don’t stick together; set aside the canned icing.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces.
- Evenly drizzle the reserved icing over the top (warm it slightly in the microwave if needed to make drizzling easier).
- Place the pan on a baking sheet (to catch any overflow) and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is set in the center and lightly golden brown.
- While the bake cools momentarily, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and cream or milk until smooth to make the frosting.
- Drizzle the frosting evenly over the baked casserole and serve immediately—optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Notes
- Use pumpkin puree—not pumpkin pie filling, which is pre‑sweetened and spiced.
- You may assemble ahead and refrigerate briefly, but it’s best baked soon after assembling due to egg and refrigerated dough.
- Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave.
- Place the baking dish on a sheet pan to prevent overflow during baking.