pumpkin rolls

Are these not the cutest pumpkin, pumpkin shaped rolls you ever did see? I am in love with them and they are easy to make and the taste is amazing! Perfect for Thanksgiving. 

The pumpkin gives the rolls a delicious flavor and makes them so moist, and those little pecans make for such a cute stem for these pumpkins. I made these ahead of time on my baking day, baked them up and froze them to rewarm on Thanksgiving. You are going to love this recipe.

Adapted from Beyond Kimchee

Brushed with egg wash before they go into the oven and then doused with a honey glaze for a sweet glossy finish makes they rolls over-the-top, amazing!

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Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole milk, scalded
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tbsp. butter
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. active dry yeast plus 1 tsp. white sugar
1/4 lukewarm water
5 cups all-purpose flour
15-20 pecan halves, sliced into 3 vertical sections
1/4 cup melted butter

1. Pour hot milk in a mixing bowl, add butter and stir to melt. Add sugars, pumpkin puree, salt to the milk and combine well.
2. In a small bowl proof yeast in a lukewarm water with a teaspoon sugar. When it gets foamy add to the pumpkin mixture, and add the egg, mix well.
3. Add in flour gradually and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. The dough will be sticky.
4. If using electric mixer, attach a dough hook and beat the mixture until the dough itself pulls from the side of the bowl.
5. Turn the dough out to a wooden board dusted with a little flour. Knead with hand for 1 minute. Form the dough into a ball shape, place in a greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hr.
6. Punch the dough to deflate and knead it for a few seconds on a wooden board. Cut the dough in half. Cut each half into about 15 pieces.
7. Roll each piece into a ball shape with your hand. Flatten the piece with palm of your hand a little. Using a knife, give 8 cuts on the edge to mimic flower pedals but the leave center uncut.
8. Poke the center with your finger to give a deep indentation, and repeat the same procedure to all the other pieces.
9. Place them, 2″ apart, on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or baking mat, and let them rise again to be doubled, about 45 minutes.
10. Preheat oven 350ºF for 20 minutes.
11. If the center indentation is not obvious on the rolls, poke them again with your finger.
12. Brush with egg wash, if you wish, and bake for 9-12 minutes until the top gets slightly golden.
13. Brush the rolls with melted butter or a little honey diluted with water to make it shine if you wish.
14. Insert pecan slices on top to mimic pumpkin stem.