Easy Soft Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
- Cook Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Optional: 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice for extra warmth
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work.
- Add the pumpkin puree, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk until everything is smooth and well combined. If you are using pumpkin pie spice, whisk it in now.
- Add 3 cups of flour and the salt to the wet ingredients. Using a dough hook or a sturdy wooden spoon, mix until a shaggy dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is soft and slightly tacky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes by machine or 10 minutes by hand until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time, but be careful not to add too much or the rolls will be dense.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for about 30 to 45 minutes. They should look puffy and be touching each other. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) during this time.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. For a beautiful finish, brush the tops with a little extra melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven.