Are you looking for a way to introduce a unique yet delicious twist to your dinner table? Instead of traditional bread rolls, think about incorporating roasted butternut squash into your baked goods. For other creative baking ideas, check out some of these bakery treats at Chummy's Bakery.
Butternut squash has a subtle sweetness and creamy texture, which pairs well with savoury dishes. Its natural starches help create a soft, pillowy texture when baked into bread. These butternut squash dinner rolls can be perfect for family dinners or even as a side dish for a festive meal.
Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
Ingredients
For approximately 12 rolls:
- 1 small butternut squash (around 500g)
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 7g instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 250ml whole milk, warmed
- 1 large egg
- Extra virgin olive oil for greasing
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Roast the butternut squash.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (Gas Mark 6). Peel, deseed, and dice the butternut squash into small cubes. Spread the squash on a baking tray. Drizzle with a little olive oil, lightly season with salt, then roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes until soft. Remove from the oven and mash the squash. Ensure it cools before adding to your dough. If you're looking for some sweet treats to go alongside your dinner, explore the dessert options available for delivery at Chummy's Bakery.
2. Prepare the dough.
In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, flour, and salt. Stir everything to evenly distribute the dry ingredients. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk the mashed butternut squash with your egg, melted butter, and warmed milk. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stir until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a clean, floured surface for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. If your dough is sticky, add a little flour, but avoid adding too much to keep the rolls soft.
3. Let the dough rise.
Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside, cover it with a damp cloth or clingfilm, and allow it to rise in a warm room for 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
4. Shape the rolls.
Once your dough has risen, punch it down to release any air pockets. Then divide the dough into 12 even portions. Shape each portion into a ball. Place each ball into a greased baking dish, spacing them apart slightly so they can expand.
5. Second rise.
Cover the shaped rolls with the damp cloth or clingfilm again and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes. They should increase in size and feel lighter to the touch.
6. Bake.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4). Bake the rolls for around 25-30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Check their progress with a skewer—if the skewer comes out clean, they’re ready. Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these rolls warm with butter. This complements their natural sweetness perfectly. For an extra touch, try adding garlic butter or a sprinkling of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary on top.
These rolls pair well with roasted meats, soups, or salads. They're an excellent choice during autumn when butternut squash is in season. To pair them with the perfect dessert, don’t forget to have a look at the brownie and cookie selection here.
Why Butternut Squash?
Butternut squash is filling and nutritious. It’s rich in vitamins A and C, making these rolls an ideal way to sneak in some extra nutrients if you’re planning a balanced meal.
Its naturally moist texture results in soft, tender bread. You’ll avoid the dryness that sometimes comes with other types of bread rolls, and you won’t need to rely on excessive amounts of butter or oil to achieve this texture.
Butternut squash also has an earthy sweetness that blends well with savoury dishes, making these rolls a good side dish for a variety of meals, from traditional British roasts to flavourful vegetarian mains.
Questions for Reflection
Have you tried using vegetables in your baking before? How did it turn out?
If you’ve been looking to reduce food waste, could this be an opportunity for you? Leftover roasted butternut squash from previous meals could be repurposed into these rolls instead of leaving it behind.
How can you tweak this recipe to fit your family’s taste preferences? Some might prefer a more savoury version, perhaps by adding a few herbs or spices to the dough.
Final Thoughts
These butternut squash dinner rolls are an excellent way to bring a bit of seasonal flavour to your kitchen. They require minimal ingredients, most of which are likely already in your pantry.
Best of all, the recipe is flexible. You can customise the sweetness, adjust the seasoning, and even experiment with different flours.
What will you pair your butternut squash rolls with next time you host a meal?
