Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

Step 1

In a stand mixer, mix together the roll ingredients, adding a little more flour if needed for the dough to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 2

Knead dough 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3

Turn dough out onto greased or floured surface and form a ball. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size, 60-90 minutes.

Step 4

Turn dough onto floured surface and punch down. Cut off a golf ball sized piece of dough and set aside. Divide remaining dough into 12 pieces and roll into balls.

Step 5

Place balls on a lined cookie sheet and cover lightly. Allow to rest 15 minutes.

Step 6

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Also, toss strings in vegetable oil to coat.

Step 7

Wrap each ball of dough with a piece of string 4 times, pivoting 45 degrees with each wrap. String should divide dough ball into 8 fairly equal sections. Tie a knot in the string and place each dough ball back on the cookie sheet.

Step 8

Flatten out the extra piece of dough that you reserved. Cut it into 12 small stem shapes. Place the stems around the balls on dough on the cookie sheet.

Step 9

Cover and allow dough to rise about 15 more minutes, until dough is gently pushing out between the strings.

Step 10

Bake 22-24 minutes, until rolls are quite golden brown on top. Remove from oven and cool completely before removing string.

Step 11

Place a stem in the top of each roll.