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Pumpkin Shaped Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 137 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 loaves 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This delightful Pumpkin Shaped Bread recipe guides you through creating soft, fluffy loaves that resemble pumpkins, perfect for festive occasions or fall gatherings. The bread is tender with a subtle sweetness and a beautiful golden crust, achieved by shaping the dough with baker’s twine and baking to perfection. The decorative slashes and optional cinnamon stick stem add a charming touch, making this bread as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 28 ounces bread flour (or all-purpose flour, about 5 1/2 cups, spooned and leveled)
  • 10 grams instant yeast (about 3 teaspoons)
  • 2 ounces sugar (4 tablespoons)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 16 ounces warm milk (110ºF) or water (2 cups)
  • 2 ounces olive oil or melted butter (1/4 cup)

For Finishing

  • Egg wash (1 egg beaten with a little water) or milk (for brushing)
  • Baker’s twine (four 20-inch pieces)
  • Cinnamon stick or candy apple stick (for pumpkin stem garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat Milk: Warm the milk to between 110ºF and 115ºF to activate the yeast without killing it.
  2. Mix Initial Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and warm milk. Mix on low speed for one minute to start forming the dough.
  3. Add Salt and Oil: Add the salt and olive oil (or melted butter) to the mixer bowl.
  4. Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough isn’t sticking to the bowl due to butter, add 1/4 cup more flour. If still not sticky enough, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to achieve the right texture.
  5. Knead Dough: Mix on speed 2 for 5 minutes. Then perform the windowpane test by stretching a piece of dough between your fingers; if it forms a thin, translucent membrane without tearing, gluten is developed. If it tears, mix for 2 additional minutes.
  6. Hand Knead: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4–5 turns to form a smooth ball.
  7. First Rise: Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough seam side down in the bowl to coat the top with oil, then flip it over. Cover with a cloth and let it rise in a warm area for about 25 minutes, until the dough doubles in size.
  8. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
  9. Shape Loaves: Divide the dough into two equal loaves. Pull the edges toward the center to shape each into a smooth ball.
  10. Prepare Twine and Baking Sheet: Cut four 20-inch pieces of baker’s twine and arrange them in a criss-cross pattern on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  11. Place Dough: Position the first shaped loaf on top of the twine on the baking sheet.
  12. Apply Wash: Lightly brush the top of the dough with egg wash for even browning; alternatively, use milk if you prefer.
  13. Tie Twine: Loosely tie each string around the loaf to create pumpkin segments, allowing room for the bread to rise and expand. Trim off excess twine.
  14. Score Dough: Use a razor blade to make wheat-shaped slashes in each section of the pumpkin. This decorative touch also prevents tearing during baking.
  15. Bake Bread: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown and an internal thermometer reads 190º–200ºF (88º–93ºC).
  16. Cool and Garnish: After baking, remove the twine. Optionally, insert a cinnamon stick or candy apple stick in the center as a pumpkin stem for decoration.

Notes

  • Use instant yeast specifically for better and quicker rise.
  • Adjust flour or water amounts slightly to achieve a sticky but manageable dough.
  • Ensure milk or water is properly warmed to activate yeast without killing it.
  • Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for best results.
  • Egg wash enhances browning but can be substituted with milk for a subtle finish.
  • Baker’s twine is key to shaping the pumpkin sections; do not substitute with regular string to avoid safety issues in the oven.
  • The cinnamon stick as a stem adds aroma and festive visual appeal but is optional.
  • For best texture, avoid overbaking to keep bread soft and tender inside.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: pumpkin shaped bread, festive bread recipe, homemade bread, fall baking, decorative bread

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Find it online: https://aromaofgrandma.com/pumpkin-shaped-bread-recipe/