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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Second rise: Cover rolls loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for about one hour until puffy and touching each other.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 20-22 minutes until they turn a golden brown color and sound hollow when tapped.
- 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.