Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

A Festive Thanksgiving Favorite

If you're planning your Thanksgiving menu and want something festive, homemade, and downright adorable, these pumpkin shaped dinner rolls are your new favorite side. Soft, buttery, golden brown, and shaped to look like little pumpkins, they’re the perfect addition to your holiday table.

this recipe

Pumpkin shaped dinner rolls bring charm and warmth to any autumn gathering, whether you’re hosting a traditional Thanksgiving feast or a cozy Friendsgiving dinner. Best of all, you can make them from scratch or take a shortcut with frozen dough. Either way, they’ll be the cutest thing on the table.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to Make Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls
• Expert Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage and Reheating
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Share and Save
• Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make, Impressive to Serve

You don’t need to be a professional baker to pull these off. If you can shape a ball and tie some string, you’re set. The shaping process adds only 15 extra minutes to a standard roll recipe, but the presentation is so fun and festive that it looks like you spent hours.

Soft, Buttery, and Crowd-Pleasing

These rolls have a fluffy texture on the inside with a lightly crisped golden crust. They’re slightly sweet and perfect for serving with butter, honey, or gravy. Kids and adults alike will be reaching for seconds.

Perfect for the Holiday Season

These rolls are tailor-made for Thanksgiving and fall celebrations. Pair them with classic dishes like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. You can also prep them ahead of time, freeze, and reheat on the big day.

Ingredients and Substitutions

What You’ll Need

For the dough:

• 1 cup warm water (110°F)
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

For shaping:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 pieces of kitchen string, each about 32 inches long
• Extra dough (about a golf ball’s worth) to make pumpkin “stems”

Ingredient Tips

Use fresh yeast for the best rise. All-purpose flour keeps the texture soft, while bread flour makes them slightly chewier. You can also use high-quality salted butter for richer flavor, just reduce the added salt slightly.

Substitutions

• Frozen Dough: Rhodes Texas rolls are a great shortcut. Just thaw, shape, and bake.
• Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and skip the egg. Sub 3 tablespoons of dairy-free milk if needed for moisture.
• Vegan: Go full plant-based by using non-dairy butter, skipping the egg, and using maple syrup instead of sugar.

How to Make Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add softened butter, egg, and salt. Slowly add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides.

Knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 60-90 minutes.

Step 2: Divide and Shape

Once risen, punch down the dough. Reserve a small piece of dough (golf ball-sized) for the stems. Divide the remaining dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Strings and Stems

Coat your strings with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Flatten the reserved dough and cut it into 12 small “stem” shapes. Set aside.

Step 4: Wrap with String

Take each dough ball and gently wrap with one string. Wrap four times, pivoting 45 degrees with each pass so the dough is sectioned like a pumpkin. Tie the knot at the bottom and place the roll knot-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with all rolls.

Step 5: Final Rise and Bake

Let the rolls rise for another 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the dough is puffed and pressing out between the strings, bake for 22-24 minutes or until deep golden brown.

Step 6: Cool, Unwrap, and Add Stems

Let the rolls cool for at least 20 minutes. Use scissors to cut and gently remove the string. Press a dough “stem” into the top of each roll.

Expert Tips

Best Results Every Time

• Don’t let the dough overproof before shaping or it may deflate when tied.
• Tie the string loosely to avoid cutting into the dough.
• Use oiled kitchen twine, not plastic-based string.

Time-Saving Ideas

• Use frozen dough to save time on busy holiday prep days.
• Make the rolls a day in advance and reheat before serving.
• Freeze baked rolls up to a month ahead of time.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Pairings

These rolls are a great match for:

• Roast turkey or chicken
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Butternut squash soup

Beautiful Presentation

Serve in a basket lined with a linen napkin or fall-themed cloth. Add fresh rosemary sprigs or cinnamon sticks for a seasonal touch.

Drink Ideas

• Apple cider
• Sparkling water with cranberry
• Light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Or freeze in zip-top bags for up to 1 month.

Reheating Tips

• Microwave: Wrap in a damp paper towel and heat for 15-20 seconds.
• Oven: Reheat at 300°F for 8-10 minutes.
• From Frozen: Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours, then warm in the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Thanksgiving Bread Recipes

Looking for more rolls and bread ideas for Thanksgiving? Check out these delicious recipes:

• Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
• Vegan Garlic Parmesan Butter Dinner Rolls
• Soft Dinner Rolls for Thanksgiving

These are all perfect for rounding out your holiday menu with fresh, homemade bread.

Share and Save

Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Thanksgiving Pinterest board so you have it handy for the holidays. These rolls are too good not to make again and again.

Try them this season and tag your creations with #bakewithlina. We love seeing what you bake!

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