Fall Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

By Rebecca St.Clair

There is something extra special about a basket of warm pumpkin shaped dinner rolls sitting on the table in the fall. These soft, buttery rolls look like little pumpkins, making them a beautiful addition to Thanksgiving dinner, a cozy Sunday supper, or any autumn gathering.

Made with a tender enriched bread dough, these homemade dinner rolls are soft and fluffy on the inside with a beautifully golden top.

These personal-sized bread rolls add the perfect festive flare to any dinner. I love turning them in to sandwiches for a fun and festive surprise inside a lunch box!

What Do Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls Taste Like?

Because these are pumpkin-shaped rather than pumpkin-flavoured, they taste like classic homemade dinner rolls.

The enriched dough gives them a soft, buttery, slightly rich flavour, while the sesame and poppy seeds provide a subtle nutty crunch.

They’re wonderful warm with butter or served alongside your favourite meal.

How to Make Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

1. Make the enriched dough

Begin by preparing your enriched bread dough.

Combine the 1 cup warm milk, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 tsp yeast. Allow the yeast to soften and become foamy.

Add the egg yolk, 2 Tbsp soft butter, 3 cups flour, and 1 tsp salt, until a soft dough forms.

Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This will take several minutes.

The dough should feel soft, smooth, and elastic.

2. Let the dough rise

Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

Allow it to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size.

Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, this should take about 1 hour.

3. Divide the dough

Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and turn it onto a lightly floured work surface.

Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.

Try to make the portions as evenly sized as possible so all of your pumpkin rolls finish baking at approximately the same time.

Shape each portion into a smooth ball by gently folding the dough over on itself and then then tightening it to the counter. (Check the video if you want to see it being shaped.)

4. Shape the dough into pumpkins

This is the fun part!

Cut pieces of food-safe kitchen twine long enough to wrap around each roll several times.

Lay the twine across the roll and gently wrap it around to create sections, similar to the ridges of a pumpkin. (Check out the video to watch them being wrapped)

Tie the twine loosely around the dough. It is going to expand to about double it’s size again. If you tie it tightly at the beginning the twine will get lost inside the dough and will be difficult to remove after baking without destroying your rolls.

The goal is to create grooves rather than deeply cutting into the dough.

5. Allow the shaped rolls to rise

Place the pumpkin-shaped rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.

Allow them to rise again until just about doubled. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

This second rise helps create light, fluffy dinner rolls.

6. Brush with egg wash

Once the rolls have finished their second rise, gently brush each one with the reserved egg white.

This will give the rolls a glossy shine and a beautiful golden finish.

Then sprinkle the tops with poppy seeds and sesame seeds. The egg wash will act like glue to stick the seeds to the buns.

You can sprinkle both seeds over each roll or alternate them for a slightly different look.

7. Bake

Bake the rolls in a preheated 375 °F (190 °C) oven 18 – 20 mons or until they are beautifully golden brown.

Keep an eye on them toward the end so the tops don’t become too dark.

8. Remove the twine

Allow the rolls to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing the kitchen twine.

Cut the string gently remove it.

Once the twine is removed, you’ll be left with adorable little pumpkin-shaped dinner rolls.

Tips for Making Perfect Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

Don’t tie the twine too tightly

This is probably the most important tip.

The dough will continue to expand during the second rise and in the oven. If the twine is too tight, the dough will rise out and the twine will bake inside the rolls making it difficult to remove.

Use food-safe kitchen twine

Make sure the twine you’re using is food-safe and suitable for baking.

Watch the egg wash

Egg wash can brown quickly, especially around the raised ridges of the pumpkin. If your rolls are browning too quickly, loosely tent them with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Don’t over-flour the dough

A little flour is helpful when shaping, but too much can make homemade dinner rolls dry and heavy.

How to Serve Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

These rolls are at their best served warm and fresh.

Try them with:

• Salted butter
• Maple butter
• Homemade apple butter
• Honey
• Homemade jam
• Beef stew
• Homemade soups
• Autumn vegetable soups
• Thanksgiving dinner

They also make wonderful little sandwich rolls for festive lunches.

Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls for Thanksgiving

These pumpkin shaped dinner rolls are made for the Thanksgiving table.

Arrange them in a rustic bread basket lined with a linen or cotton tea towel and place them in the centre of the table.

The little pumpkin shapes add a festive autumn touch without requiring complicated decorating.

They’re also a fun baking project to make with children, especially when shaping the dough.

Can I Make These Dinner Rolls Ahead?

Yes!

You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it during the second rise.

Allow them to come to room temperature and become puffy before brushing them with egg wash and baking.

Can I Freeze Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls?

Yes. Homemade dinner rolls freeze very well.

For the best results, allow baked rolls to cool completely before placing them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag.

Freeze for up to about 3 months for best quality.

How to Store Homemade Dinner Rolls

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For the best texture, warm them gently before serving.

If you know you won’t eat them within a couple of days, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Variations

Herb Dinner Rolls

Add finely chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or sage to the dough for a savoury autumn version.

Everything Seasoning

Replace the poppy and sesame seeds with your favourite everything seasoning.

Sesame Seed Rolls

Use only sesame seeds for a simple, classic finish.

Poppy Seed Rolls

For a more delicate appearance, sprinkle the rolls with poppy seeds alone.

Sweet Pumpkin Rolls

For a slightly sweeter variation, serve the finished rolls with honey butter or maple butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pumpkin-shaped rolls contain pumpkin?

Not necessarily. Pumpkin-shaped dinner rolls can be made with regular dinner roll dough. The pumpkin refers to their shape rather than the flavour.

Can I use kitchen twine to shape dinner rolls?

Yes, provided you use food-safe, oven-safe kitchen twine intended for cooking. Don’t use decorative craft string.

What seeds go on pumpkin-shaped dinner rolls?

Poppy seeds and sesame seeds are both delicious choices. They add subtle crunch and give the rolls a beautiful bakery-style appearance. You can also use everything bagel seasoning for an extra flavourful topping. You can also make these rolls without any seeds added on.