Pumpkin Butter and Pecan Rolls
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 mins
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Built like a cinnamon bun, these rolls are comprised of a traditional scone dough layered with a filling of pumpkin butter, ground pecans, cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of brown sugar.
Ingredients
Scone Dough:
- 2 1/2 cup (600 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 oz (1 stick / 115 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4" cubes
- 1 cup + 1 tablepoon (255 ml) chilled heavy cream
Filling:
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) canned pumpkin butter (I used Trader Joe's brand)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) roasted whole pecans
- 1 tsp packed brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Before starting, place the butter and cream in freezer for 5-10 minutes to chill.
- Grind the pecans in a small food processor until it resembles wet sand, set aside in a bowl and mix with 1/8 tsp cinnamon, brown sugar, and pinch of salt.
- Place flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in (large) food processor bowl. Pulse several times to combine thoroughly. (Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips. Work quickly until the butter resembles grains of rice and is distributed evenly among the flour.)
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture and pulse several times quickly until the butter pieces are no larger than the size of a pea.
- While pulsing, pour in the cream and continue to pulse until the dough just comes together–if necessary, add an additional tbsp of cream.
- Flour your hands lightly and move the dough to a well-floured counter top. Press together and knead briefly. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 8 inch x 10 inch rectangle. Move the dough with a bench scraper periodically as you do this to ensure that is not sticking to the counter top–continue flouring lightly if necessary. Use your hands to square the corners.
- Using an offset spatula, spread the pumpkin butter on the top of the dough–leaving a 1/2″ border on all sides. Sprinkle evenly with the nut mixture.
- Roll the long edge of the dough up, patting the dough as you go, until the dough forms a long 10″ log. Place seam side down to seal. Cut evenly in half, wrap the respective pieces with plastic wrap, place on a plate or baking sheet and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or preferably, overnight (if the dough is too warm, the scones will spread more in the oven).
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a full baking sheet with parchment paper (or Silpat). Bake 5-6 at a time (allowing the baking sheet to cool completely between batches).
- Remove the logs from the fridge and slice each respective half into 5 equal rolls–about 1 1/2″ wide.
- Place the scones spiral side up on the baking sheet. Squeeze the dough with your hands to shape them into rounds.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. The scones are ready when the bottoms are golden brown.
- Best served hot out of the oven or within the first day of baking (they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for an additional 2-3 days).
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why must the rolled dough log chill for 1–2 hours (or overnight) before baking?
The instructions explain that if the dough is too warm when it hits the oven, the scones will spread excessively rather than holding their spiral shape. Chilling firms the fat in the dough so the rolls bake up tall and distinct. An overnight chill is preferable if you want to prepare them ahead.
Why bake only 5–6 rolls at a time and let the sheet cool between batches?
A hot baking sheet starts melting the fat before the dough enters the oven, which causes spreading and uneven bottoms. Cooling the sheet completely between batches ensures each roll bakes with an evenly golden brown bottom during the 30–35 minute bake.
How long do these rolls keep and when are they best?
The instructions note they’re best served hot out of the oven or within the first day of baking. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for an additional 2–3 days, though the scone texture softens after the first day. 
