Pumpkin Spice Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (or one packet)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Additional melted butter for brushing (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, warm milk, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Make sure the mixture is lukewarm (not too hot) to avoid killing the yeast.
2. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the pumpkin mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air bubbles.
8. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions and shape them into rolls. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each roll.
10. Cover the rolls loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
11. Optionally, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter before baking to give them a golden finish.
12. Bake the pumpkin spice dinner rolls in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
13. Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

These pumpkin spice dinner rolls are fragrant, tender, and perfect for any occasion. Serve them warm with butter or alongside your favorite meals for a delicious autumn-inspired treat!