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Pumpkin Shaped Bread

This soft and fluffy pumpkin-shaped bread only takes 60 minutes to make and makes the most beautiful centerpiece for your next holiday dinner party.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
proofing 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 24 servings
Calories 147kcal

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook
  • Razor blade
  • Bakers twine

Ingredients

  • 28 ounces bread flour or all purpose (about 5 ½ cups, spooned and leveled)
  • 10 grams instant yeast needs to be instant (about 3 teaspoons)
  • 2 ounces sugar (4 Tablespoons)
  • 16 ounces warm milk (110ºF) or water (two cups)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 ounces olive oil or melted butter (¼ cup)

Instructions

  • Heat milk to 110ºF-115ºF
  • Combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and milk in the bowl of your stand mixer with the dough hook attached and mix for one minute
  • Add in salt and oil
  • Add in a ¼ cup more flour if the dough is not sticking to the bowl because of the butter. If the dough is still not sticking to the bowl, add in 1-2 Tablespoons of water.
  • Mix for 5 minutes on speed 2
  • After 5 minutes, take a piece of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If you can make a very thin "window" that does not tear then you have developed enough gluten and you can shape your dough.
  • If the window tears, then mix for 2 more minutes.
  • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 4-5 turns until you can form a smooth ball
  • Coat a large bowl in a little olive oil
  • Place the dough top side down into the bowl to get the top of the dough covered in oil then flip it over. Cover with a cloth and place in a warm area for 25 minutes to rise until the dough doubles in size (about 25 minutes) *see notes*
  • Preheat your oven to 375ºF
  • Divide your dough into two loaves and pull the edges all to the center to form a ball with a smooth top
  • Cut 4 pieces of bakers twine into 20" long pieces and arrange in a criss-cross pattern on top of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Place the first bread loaf on top.
  • Egg wash the dough lightly so the loaf browns evenly. If you don't want to use egg you can also use milk for similar results.
  • Tie each string around the loaf loosely to allow room for the bread to rise and expand. Cut off the long pieces of string.
  • Use a razorblade to cut some wheat-shaped slashes into the sides of each section of the pumpkin. Not only does this look nice but it allows the bread to expande without ripping and tearing.
  • Bake your loaves for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. You can also use a thermometer to check the center of your bread. If the temperature reads 190º - 200º your bread is done.
  • Once your pumpkin shaped bread is done you can use a cinnamon stick or candy apple stick in the center as the pumpin stem.

Video

Notes

** I turn my oven on to 170ºF and open the door then place my dough on the door near the opening of the oven to proof, not INSIDE the oven. 
** If you don't have instant yeast your can use regular active yeast but it will take longer to proof. 
1. Let your dough proof for 90 minutes or until it doubles in size
2. Divide the dough, shape, brush with egg wash, make cuts with the knife and let rest for 30 minutes before baking. 
** Egg wash - crack one egg and whisk with 1 Tablespoon of water. Use a soft pastry brush to brush it onto the loaves. If you don't use egg wash your bread will be very pale. You can also use milk instead of egg for the wash.  
** You can use water  or almond milk in  place of milk
** You can replace white flour with wheat flour (use 24 oz instead 28 oz because wheat flour is denser than white flour)

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg