Soft Pumpkin Rolls Recipe

The aroma of freshly baked Soft Pumpkin Rolls wafting through your kitchen signals that fall has truly arrived. These pillowy, golden-orange rolls offer the perfect balance of subtle sweetness and warm spices that make them irresistible straight from the oven. The tender, fluffy texture comes from the perfect combination of pumpkin puree and carefully selected ingredients, creating dinner rolls that are anything but ordinary. Whether served alongside your Thanksgiving feast or enjoyed with a simple weeknight dinner, these Soft Pumpkin Rolls will quickly become a seasonal favorite. You’ll learn how to create bakery-worthy rolls with a beautiful color and delicate pumpkin flavor that everyone will rave about.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Soft Pumpkin Rolls stand out from ordinary dinner rolls in so many ways. First, their gorgeous amber hue brings autumnal warmth to any table setting, making them visually appealing before you even take a bite. The texture achieves the perfect balance between pillowy softness and satisfying chew – tender enough to pull apart with your fingers yet substantial enough to hold up to a swipe of butter or dip into gravy.

What makes these homemade pumpkin dinner rolls truly special is their versatility. They’re elegant enough for holiday gatherings but simple enough for everyday meals. The subtle pumpkin flavor doesn’t overwhelm but instead creates a perfect backdrop for the warming spices.

Best of all, while they taste like they came from an artisanal bakery, the recipe is surprisingly approachable. The dough is forgiving for beginners, and the make-ahead options mean you can fit these impressive rolls into even the busiest schedule. The heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is simply an added bonus to the incredible taste experience that awaits.

Ingredients

For perfect Soft Pumpkin Rolls, you’ll need:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (around 110°F/43°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons (28g) butter, melted (for brushing)

The star ingredient is the pumpkin puree, which provides natural moisture and a beautiful color. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugars and spices. The warm milk activates the yeast while the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates the classic fall flavor profile that makes these pumpkin bread rolls so special.

Pro Tips

Creating truly exceptional Soft Pumpkin Rolls comes down to mastering a few key techniques:

Perfect Yeast Activation: The temperature of your milk is crucial – too hot will kill the yeast, too cool won’t activate it. Aim for 110°F (43°C), which should feel warm but not hot to the touch. When you add the yeast to the warm milk, give it 5-10 minutes to become foamy before proceeding. This proofing step ensures your rolls will rise properly and achieve maximum fluffiness.

Proper Kneading Technique: Kneading develops the gluten that gives these rolls their perfect texture. With pumpkin roll dough, you’ll notice it’s slightly stickier than regular bread dough. Resist the urge to add too much flour, which can make the rolls dense. Instead, use a light dusting on your work surface and hands, and knead until the dough becomes elastic and smooth – about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes in a stand mixer.

Temperature-Controlled Rising: For the ideal rise, place your dough in a draft-free spot that maintains a consistent temperature of about 75-80°F (24-27°C). An unheated oven with the light turned on creates the perfect environment. The dough should double in size during both the first rise and the second rise after shaping. This patience pays off with exceptionally soft, perfectly textured pumpkin dinner rolls.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F/43°C) with the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk mixture and let it sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it becomes foamy and aromatic – this means your yeast is alive and active, ensuring your Soft Pumpkin Rolls will rise beautifully.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

While waiting for the yeast to activate, whisk together the pumpkin puree, melted butter, and egg in a separate bowl until smooth. Once your yeast mixture is foamy, pour in this pumpkin mixture and stir to combine. The liquid will take on a gorgeous orange hue that will give your rolls their distinctive color.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together 3½ cups of flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. The spice fragrance will be intoxicating as you work – a preview of the wonderful aroma that will fill your kitchen later.

Step 4: Knead to Perfection

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, adding the remaining flour as needed until you have a smooth, slightly tacky dough that springs back when lightly pressed. This kneading develops the gluten structure that gives your Soft Pumpkin Rolls their perfect texture.

Step 5: First Rise

Place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1-1½ hours until doubled in size. This patient waiting period is when the magic happens – the yeast creates air pockets that will make your rolls irresistibly fluffy.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Gently punch down the risen dough and divide it into 15 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball by pulling the edges toward the center and pinching to seal, then rolling between your palms. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, allowing a little space between each for the second rise.

Step 7: Second Rise and Bake

Cover the shaped rolls and let them rise again for 45-60 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 20 minutes of rising. Just before baking, brush the tops with melted butter for a beautiful shine. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 190°F (88°C).

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Brush the hot rolls with remaining melted butter for extra richness and flavor. Allow to cool slightly before serving – these Soft Pumpkin Rolls are at their absolute best when still warm from the oven, revealing their tender, fluffy interior when pulled apart.

Variations

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Rolls
Transform these Soft Pumpkin Rolls into a sweeter treat by creating a cinnamon-sugar coating. After shaping the rolls but before the second rise, roll each ball in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar combined with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Arrange in your baking dish and proceed with the recipe as written. These make a delightful breakfast option or dessert-like dinner roll that pairs beautifully with apple butter or cream cheese.

Savory Herb Pumpkin Rolls
For a more savory direction, adjust the spice blend by reducing the cinnamon and nutmeg by half and adding 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped sage, 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme to the dough. Top the rolls with coarse sea salt and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) just before baking for a beautiful presentation. These savory pumpkin dinner rolls are perfect alongside hearty fall soups and stews.

Gluten-Free Adaptation
Create gluten-free pumpkin bread rolls by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Add an additional egg to provide structure, and expect the texture to be slightly different but still delicious. These may require a slightly longer baking time, so check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer.

Storage and Serving

These Soft Pumpkin Rolls stay fresh at room temperature, stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped, for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap rolls in foil and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.

For an elegant presentation, arrange the warm rolls in a cloth-lined basket with a fall-themed napkin. Serve alongside a compound butter made with maple syrup and cinnamon for an extra special touch that complements the pumpkin flavor beautifully.

These rolls make exceptional sandwiches for leftover turkey or ham after holiday meals. Try slicing them horizontally and toasting lightly before filling. For a decadent breakfast option, slice leftover rolls in half, dip in a mixture of egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla, and transform them into pumpkin French toast that will make any morning feel special.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
No, pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar, spices, and other ingredients that will throw off the balance of the recipe. Always use plain pumpkin puree for these Soft Pumpkin Rolls.

Why didn’t my rolls rise properly?
This typically happens when the yeast is old or was killed by milk that was too hot. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is around 110°F (43°C) – warm to the touch but not hot.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! After shaping the rolls, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, allow them to come to room temperature and complete their second rise (about 1-2 hours) before baking.

How can I tell when the rolls are done baking?
The rolls should be golden brown on top, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should register 190°F (88°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, tap the top – properly baked rolls will sound hollow.

Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! While a stand mixer makes the process easier, these Soft Pumpkin Rolls can be mixed and kneaded entirely by hand. Just be prepared for a bit of an arm workout during the kneading stage!

Conclusion

These Soft Pumpkin Rolls are comfort food at its finest — pillowy, aromatic bundles of joy that bring the essence of autumn to your table with every bite. The subtle sweetness of pumpkin paired with warm spices creates a uniquely satisfying experience that elevates any meal from ordinary to memorable. It’s the kind of dish that becomes a cherished tradition, with family and friends requesting “those amazing pumpkin rolls” year after year. Whether paired with a holiday feast or enjoyed on their own with a simple smear of butter, these rolls have a way of making any moment feel special.

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