Description
Create adorable pumpkin-shaped sliders perfect for fall and Halloween parties. These festive sliders feature homemade pumpkin-shaped buns filled with your favorite ingredients, making them a charming and delicious addition to any seasonal gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pumpkin Buns:
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Kitchen twine or unflavored dental floss (for shaping)
- Optional: rosemary sprigs or pecan halves for “stems”
- Extra butter for brushing
- Suggested Slider Fillings:
- Roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and arugula
- Ham, cheddar, and Dijon mustard
- Grilled veggies and hummus
- Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, and basil)
- Chicken salad or tuna salad
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
- Make the dough by mixing flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Stir until combined, then knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Allow the dough its first rise by placing it in a lightly oiled bowl, covering it, and letting it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls by dividing the dough into 12 equal pieces and rolling each into a ball. Cut four pieces of twine per roll, place them in a crisscross pattern, and center a dough ball on top. Tie the twine loosely to create pumpkin ridges.
- Allow the shaped dough balls their second rise by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, covering, and letting them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake the pumpkin-shaped sliders by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and baking for 18–20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- Decorate the buns by snipping and gently removing the twine. Insert a small rosemary sprig or pecan piece into the center for the pumpkin stem. Brush each bun with melted butter for a shiny finish.
- Assemble the sliders by slicing the cooled buns in half horizontally and filling them with your chosen ingredients.
Notes
- Use pre-made dinner roll dough like Rhodes for a convenient shortcut.
- For busy hosts, bake the pumpkin buns ahead of time and assemble the sliders just before guests arrive.
- Store unfilled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze wrapped buns for up to 2 months.
- Reheat buns in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes before filling to maintain freshness.
- Consider fun variations like Pumpkin Spice, Cheddar Jalapeño, or Italian meatball sliders.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider