Pumpkin Thyme Dinner Rolls Food

PUMPKIN-SHAPED DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine warm milk, yeast, honey, and butter in a bowl; stir. Add salt and most of the flour, reserving the rest for dusting. Stir using a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
• Dust a work surface with the leftover flour. Knead the dough until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, adding more flour as needed. Form dough into a ball that springs back lightly when pressed.
• Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with greased foil, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, cut kitchen string into 4 dozen 8- to 10-inch strands. Place strings in a bowl and toss with oil to coat; set aside.
• Press risen dough down on a work surface; reserve 3 to 4 tablespoons for forming "stems." Cut remaining dough in half and cut each half into 6 wedges. Roll each into a round ball by cupping your hand over the dough and pressing and rolling lightly in a circular motion for 10 to 15 seconds. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with silicone liners.
• Place 4 pieces of string on your work surface. Crisscross strings over a center point into a star formation. Place a dough ball, smooth side-down, onto the center point. Firmly tie each string into a knot over the center of the roll. Snip off excess string using scissors.
• Place tied roll onto a prepared baking sheet, knot side-down. Repeat with remaining strings and dough balls.
• Let rolls rise for about 30 minutes.
• Sift a little flour on top of rolls. Shape reserved dough into "stems" and place them on the sheet next to the rolls.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool until safe to handle, about 15 minutes. Cut strings off of each roll at the tops and peel down carefully and slowly to remove. Cut a small hole in the tops of each roll and press "stems" into each hole. Transfer pumpkin rolls to a serving platter.

PUMPKIN-SHAPED ROLLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried onion, fresh herbs, salt, cayenne, yeast mixture and 1-1/2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Stir in cheese., Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch down dough; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide and shape into 12 balls; flatten slightly. Wrap each ball in 4 pieces of kitchen string, creating indentions to resemble a pumpkin. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 45 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. If desired, brush with melted butter. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Cut and discard string. Before serving, insert pretzel halves in top of each roll.