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Pumpkin-Shaped Dinner Rolls

These Pumpkin-Shaped Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and irresistibly festive. Shaped with twine and finished with cinnamon stick stems, they look just like mini pumpkins while still tasting like classic buttery dinner rolls.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 Rolls
Course: Appetizer
Ingredients Equipment Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 3½-4 cups All-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup Granulated sugar
  • 2¼ tsp Active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ¾ cup Whole milk warmed (110℉)
  • ¼ cup Unsalted butter melted
  • 2 Large eggs room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
  • 8 Cinnamon stick halves for the stems
  • Cooking twine for shaping

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook)
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
  • Sharp knife or kitchen scissors
  • Kitchen twine
  • Baking Sheet
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

  1. Make the Dough
    In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
    Add the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until combined.
    Gradually add remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, until dough is soft and slightly sticky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
    Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand or with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
  2. First Rise
    Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Shape the Pumpkins
    Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a smooth ball.
    Cut 4 pieces of kitchen twine for each roll, about 10–12 inches long. Lightly oil the twine (so it won’t stick).
    Lay 2 longer pieces of twine in a crisscross pattern (like a star). Place a dough ball in the center, then wrap the twine up and around the ball so it divides into 8 sections. Tie loosely, don’t pull too tight, as the dough will expand while rising.
    Repeat with all rolls, then place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  4. Second Rise
    Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
  5. Bake the Rolls
    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
    Brush each roll with egg wash.
    Bake 15–18 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
  6. Add Stems
    Let rolls cool slightly. Carefully snip and remove the twine.
    Insert a cinnamon stick half into the center of each roll to look like a pumpkin stem.

Video