what's for dinner tonight {pumpkin dinner rolls}.

i have always wanted to make my own bread. like, on a weekly basis. to be able to make my family sandwiches and toast with fresh bread. to have the smell of bread baking wafting through our home. to break from a busy day to taste my handiwork topped with melted butter with a cup of hot tea... ohhhhh yes. sounds heavenly doesn't it?

although nothing on a regular basis, i've made a couple loaves of bread before bella was born, but when i saw this recipe on a blog i follow, i knew i had to make my first attempt at dinner rolls.

{source}

and boy, am i glad i did.

pumpkin dinner rolls may sound like a strange concept to some of you, but if you're anything like me they sound like little gems from heaven. i love pumpkin. and i love fresh bread. so really, to me they are the perfect idea. these little rolls are so moist and tasty that i could sit and eat half of a pan in one day (but don't worry, i haven't). even bella loved them... i couldn't give her halves of the rolls fast enough last night at dinner; i think in total she ate two which is a pretty big amount for our peanut-of-an-eighteen-month-old!

these are the perfect accompaniment to soups and stews for the fall or winter, or a delicious side to your holiday dinners. and i certainly enjoyed them as a while-bella-is-napping-snack :)

here's the recipe:

pumpkin dinner rolls

* 3/4 c. milk (i used skim and these still tasted delish!)
* 1/3 c. brown sugar
* 5 T. butter, divided
* 1 t. salt
* 2 pkgs active dry yeast (1/4 oz each)
* 1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
* 2 to 2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
* 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
* 1/2 c. canned pumpkin
* 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

- in a small saucepan, heat milk, 4 T. butter, brown sugar and salt to 110-115 degrees (i used a candy thermometer to measure temperature). set aside.
- in a large bowl, dissolve yeast in your warm water. stir in milk mixture, followed by 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. beat until smooth.
- stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- turn onto floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes. pour a small amount of olive oil in the bottom of a large bowl and coat. place dough in bowl, turning over once to coat. cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- punch dough down. divide into 20 pieces, shape into balls. place in a greased 9x13 pan, cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until doubled.
- melt remaining butter and brush over dough. bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

serve warm with butter and bask in the satisfaction of making your own bread... and just how delicious it is :)