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Honey Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 46 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls 1x
  • Category: Bread/Dinner Rolls
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Honey Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and subtly sweet with the warm flavor of pumpkin and honey. Perfect for fall gatherings or holiday dinners, they offer a delightful twist on classic dinner rolls by incorporating pumpkin puree and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds on top for added texture and flavor.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed to 100°F (177 ml)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 egg (for dough)
  • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (2 oz or 56 g)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 tablespoon honey (for egg wash)

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard envelope)
  • 300 g all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
  • 300 g bread flour (about 2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Toppings

  • 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
  • Granulated sugar (for sprinkling, optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Whisk the warm milk, yeast, and 1/4 cup honey together in the bowl of your stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy, indicating it is active.
  2. Prepare dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, bread flour, and salt. Using a scale is recommended for accurate measurement.
  3. Mix the dough: Add the egg and pumpkin puree to the milk-yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour mixture while mixing on medium-low speed until the dough starts to come together. Incorporate the softened butter and continue mixing on medium-low for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time.
  4. First rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  5. Shape rolls: Grease a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Punch down the risen dough to release air. Transfer to a clean surface (no extra flour needed), divide into 12 equal pieces, and shape each into a smooth ball. Place the rolls on the prepared pan spaced about one inch apart.
  6. Second rise: Cover rolls loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for about one hour until puffy and touching each other.
  7. Preheat oven and prepare egg wash: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 2 teaspoons water, and 1 tablespoon honey to create an egg wash.
  8. Brush and top: Brush the tops of the risen rolls with the egg wash. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds and, if desired, a light sprinkle of granulated sugar on top for extra sweetness and crunch.
  9. Bake: Bake the rolls for 20-22 minutes until they turn a golden brown color and sound hollow when tapped.
  10. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly on a wire rack before serving to enjoy soft, delicious pumpkin-flavored dinner rolls.

Notes

  • Using a kitchen scale for the flour ensures the best texture and consistency.
  • You can substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour but the rolls might be slightly less chewy.
  • Make sure the milk is warmed but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Optionally sprinkle granulated sugar on top before baking for a subtle sweet crunch.
  • These rolls keep well stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days or can be frozen for up to a month.
  • Reheat gently for best texture before serving.