The first time I baked these pumpkin spice buns, my whole kitchen smelled like fall. The warm scent of cinnamon and pumpkin made me smile right away. It felt cozy, like a blanket fresh from the dryer.

I love how soft and fluffy they turn out every time. The pumpkin keeps them moist, and the spice mix makes each bite taste like autumn. They’re sweet, warm, and just right with a cup of coffee.

Sometimes I drizzle a little icing on top or add a sprinkle of sugar for sparkle. They look fancy but are super easy to make. Everyone always wants seconds.

So grab your pumpkin puree and spices. Let’s bake a batch of these soft, golden pumpkin spice buns that taste like the season in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Autumnal Perfection: The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and spices makes these buns the ultimate fall treat.
Soft and Pillowy: Thanks to the carefully kneaded dough, the buns are light and fluffy on the inside, creating the perfect contrast to the sweet spiced filling.
Perfect for Meal Prep: These buns can be baked in advance and enjoyed throughout the week, making them perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Customizable: You can add nuts, raisins, or even cream cheese frosting for a little extra indulgence.
Impressive Yet Easy: This recipe might look fancy, but it’s easy enough for even beginner bakers to master.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, here are the tools you’ll need:

Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two bowls—one for mixing the dough and another for the glaze.
Stand Mixer (optional): While a stand mixer is optional, it makes kneading the dough easier. You can also knead by hand if you prefer.
Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough into the perfect rectangle for filling.
Baking Dish: A 9×13-inch baking dish is perfect for baking these buns.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Make sure to measure your ingredients precisely for the best results.
Pastry Brush: For brushing butter onto the dough before you roll it up.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious pumpkin spice buns recipe (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Dough:

Whole Milk: 1/2 cup. Warm milk is essential for activating the yeast.
Active Dry Yeast: One 1/4-ounce package (about 2 1/4 teaspoons). This will help your dough rise perfectly.
Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup. Sugar provides food for the yeast, helping the dough rise.
Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, melted. Butter adds richness and softness to the dough.
Pure Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons. A splash of vanilla adds depth to the flavor.
Egg Yolk: 1 large egg yolk. This helps enrich the dough and give it that golden color.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 3/4 cups, plus more for dusting. This forms the structure of your dough.
Fine Salt: 3/4 teaspoon. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

For the Filling:

Unsalted Butter: 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons), softened. Butter makes the filling rich and smooth.
Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup. For sweetness that complements the spices.
Pumpkin Spice Blend: 2 tablespoons. The quintessential spice mix that screams fall—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Pure Pumpkin Puree: 1/2 cup. This gives the buns a moist, tender texture and a natural sweetness.

For the Glaze:

Confectioners’ Sugar: 1 1/2 cups. A smooth and sweet glaze base.
Unsalted Butter: 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons), melted. Adds richness and smoothness to the glaze.
Whole Milk: 3 tablespoons. Helps the glaze achieve the right consistency.
Pure Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon. Enhances the flavor of the glaze.
Fine Salt: A pinch. A little salt cuts the sweetness and brings balance to the glaze.

Variations for Pumpkin Spice Buns

While these pumpkin spice buns are already full of flavor, you can make them your own by trying out some fun variations:

1. Add Nuts:

Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the filling for a crunchy texture that pairs beautifully with the soft dough.

2. Swap the Glaze for Cream Cheese Frosting:

For an indulgent twist, spread a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting on top of the buns once they’ve cooled slightly. This will take your pumpkin spice buns to the next level.

3. Spice it Up:

If you like a bit of extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling or glaze for a unique twist.

4. Chocolate Chips:

Add a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the filling for a gooey, chocolatey surprise in every bite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, warm the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop until it’s just slightly warm to the touch (around 110°F or 43°C). Add the active dry yeast and a teaspoon of the granulated sugar to the milk. Stir until combined. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The yeast should start to bubble and foam, indicating it’s activated and ready to use.

2. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg yolk. Stir to combine. Once the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until mixed.

Next, gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Once the dough comes together, knead it on a lightly floured surface or in a stand mixer for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.

3. Let the Dough Rise

Lightly grease a clean bowl with butter, then place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. If you’re short on time, you can speed up the rising process by placing the bowl in an oven with the light on.

4. Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the pumpkin spice filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, pumpkin spice blend, and pumpkin puree until smooth and creamy.

5. Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.

6. Assemble the Buns

Spread the pumpkin spice filling evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border along the edges. Starting at the long side of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts.

7. Place in the Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, then arrange the buns in the dish. It’s okay if they touch each other—this will allow them to bake into each other and form that classic bun shape. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the buns rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until they’re puffed up.

8. Bake the Buns

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top and cooked through. You can check for doneness by gently pressing the top of a bun—it should spring back.

9. Prepare the Glaze

While the buns are baking, make the glaze by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of fine salt in a small bowl until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more milk until you reach the desired consistency.

10. Glaze the Buns

Once the buns are out of the oven, allow them to cool for about 5-10 minutes. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm buns, letting it drip down the sides for that perfect look.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Buns

These pumpkin spice buns are delicious all on their own, but you can take them to the next level with these serving ideas:

For Breakfast: Serve the buns warm with a hot cup of coffee or chai latte for a cozy morning treat.
For Dessert: Serve these buns as a fall-inspired dessert at your next gathering, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For Brunch: These buns make an amazing addition to any brunch spread. Pair with fresh fruit, yogurt, and eggs.
As a Snack: Keep them in an airtight container for an easy, grab-and-go snack throughout the week.

Storing Pumpkin Spice Buns

At Room Temperature: Store leftover buns in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore their softness.
In the Freezer: If you’d like to make these buns ahead of time, you can freeze them after baking. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap each bun tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per bun):

Calories	Fat	Carbohydrates	Protein
290	13g	41g	3g