Pumpkin Buns

They are called 'pumpkin buns' because of their pumpkin shape and because of their pumpkin filling inside. We made them yesterday. We didn't have a big pumpkin to carve and the girls wanted to have fun. So, we made these pumpkin-shaped buns and the girls carved the eyes and the mouth for each of them.

I 'had' a lot of fun shaping them, I was excited about the idea and the looks at first. But you must know it's a lot of work if you choose the method with the kitchen twine. You can see my adventures in the steps below and don't panic (the result is worth the effort). I also gave an alternative - not as spectacular, but easier to make.

No matter the shape, the buns are delicious, colourful, fluffy and a bit dangerous, you simply can't stop eating!

Ingredients
Pumpkin puree
400 g
Milk
300 ml
Sugar
100 g
Active dry yeast
15 g
Egg
2 pieces
Salt
0.5 tsp
Vanilla Extract
1 tsp
Melted butter
60 g
or 60ml oil
White flour
1 kg
Jam
200 g
or replace with bits of chocolate, Turkish delight, apples etc.
Step by step
Step 1

I will tell you from the start that this recipe is for 24 buns, if you want fewer, reduce the quantities of the ingredients proportionally.

In a large bowl, combine together the warm milk, the sugar and the yeast and let sit for 10 minutes. 

Prepare the pumpkin puree in advance, you can find the recipe and ideas on how to preserve it on my website.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 1
Step 2

Now add to this mixture: the pumpkin puree, 1 egg, salt, vanilla extract and melted butter.

Whisk well to combine.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 2
Step 3

Stir in the flour, little by little - the quantity will vary between 800-1000g, depending on how thin the puree is.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 3
Step 4

Mix with a spoon and stop adding more flour when the dough is no longer tacky and wet.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 4
Step 5

Then turn dough onto the floured work space and knead with your hands until it's elastic, homogeneous and smooth.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 5
Step 6

Return dough to the bowl, cover with a towel or a plastic wrap and let rise for 40-60 minutes.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 6
Step 7

It should double its size and now you should be able to move on to the next steps.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 7
Step 8

Divide into 24 roughly equal parts.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 8
Step 9

Dust your hands with a bit of flour and shape into balls.

After shaping 24 balls of dough, let rest for 10 minutes.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 9
Step 10

Take each ball of dough and flatten gently with your hands. Place a tsp filling in the middle - I had quince jam mixed with chopped walnuts (for a denser filling, to prevent sogginess when baking).  

The kids also loved the buns with bits of (plain dark) chocolate inside.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 10
Step 11

Pull the edges up and shape into a bun.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 11
Step 12

Take some kitchen twine (about 80-90cm for each bun) and place the bun seam side down right in the middle of the twine.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 12
Step 13

Twist the twine up in the middle and wrap it around all sides of the bun, just like you see in the pictures.

It will be harder for the first 2 buns, but then you'll get the moves and it'll be a lot easier :)

Pumpkin Buns - Step 13
Step 14

When you finish, tie a knot at the base of the bun.

Don't make it too tight, just enough to hold itself around the bun.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 14
Step 15

If you don't want to complicate your life, use kitchen shears to cut slits around the bun, just like in the photo.

It's another way of making a pumpkin shape, but it won't be as good looking. 

Pumpkin Buns - Step 15
Step 16

Place the buns on a large parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Look at the photo and compare the two methods of shaping the buns.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 16
Step 17

After they have risen, press your finger in the middle of the buns made with kitchen shears.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 17
Step 18

Carefully brush with eggwash, trying to avoid the twine, so that it's easier to remove.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 18
Step 19

Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven to 200 degrees C, until they are nice golden brown.

Let cool for a while on the baking sheet.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 19
Step 20

Place walnut bits in the holes in the middle of the buns.

Here you can see the pumpkin buns made with the kitchen shears.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 20
Step 21

It gets really fun when you need to remove the twine from the beautiful buns. I kind of cursed for the first 3 buns, but then I got used to it and it went quickly.

First, cut the twine at the top of the bun - use scissors or a small knife.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 21
Step 22

Then cut the twine at the bottom and pull it out of the bun.

Pumpkin Buns - Step 22
Step 23

The spectacular effect was worth all the effort, the buns which were cut with shears were also appreciated.

These pumpkin buns are fluffy, flavourful, soft, colourful - I recommend them!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Buns - Step 23
Quantity: 24 pcs ()
Prep time:
60 min
Difficulty: difficult
Ready in: 120 min
Source: Youtube