Description

These delightful Pumpkin-Shaped Nutella Buns are soft, fluffy bread rolls filled with rich Nutella, shaped creatively to resemble mini pumpkins. Perfect for festive occasions or a fun, tasty treat, these buns combine a tender homemade dough with a sweet chocolate-hazelnut center and a charming cinnamon stick stalk for decoration.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

250 g strong white bread flour (2 cups)
125 ml milk (1/2 cup)
2 tsp fast-action dried yeast
20 g butter, softened (0.7 oz)
2 eggs
50 g granulated sugar (1/4 cup)

Filling

4 tsp Nutella

Decoration

Cinnamon sticks to decorate (used as stalks)

Instructions

Activate the yeast: Warm the milk slightly to about body temperature and pour it into a jug. Add the fast-action dried yeast to the milk, mix well, and let it sit for 1 minute to activate the yeast.
Prepare the dough mixture: In a large mixing bowl, sift the strong white bread flour and add the granulated sugar, softened butter, and one egg. Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl.
Knead the dough: Mix and knead all the ingredients thoroughly until you form a smooth, elastic dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in more flour gradually while kneading.
Proof the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and leave it in a warm place for about 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
Divide and fill the dough: Once risen, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball with a rolling pin, then spread 1 teaspoon of Nutella evenly over the rolled dough.
Shape the buns: Carefully shape each dough ball back into a sealed ball, making sure the Nutella filling is fully enclosed inside. Use a piece of string wrapped around the dough to create indentations resembling pumpkin segments.
Prepare for baking: Beat the remaining egg well and brush each bun thoroughly to give a golden glaze after baking.
Bake the buns: Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Place the buns on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and have risen well.
Cool and decorate: Remove the string shaping the pumpkins carefully and insert a cinnamon stick on top of each bun to act as the pumpkin’s stalk. Allow the buns to cool completely before serving.

Notes

If the dough is sticky while kneading, add a little more flour, but avoid making the dough too dry.
The cinnamon sticks add a lovely decorative touch and subtle aroma but can be omitted if unavailable.
You can substitute Nutella with any other chocolate-hazelnut spread or jam of your choice.
For softer buns, avoid over-baking; check for a golden color and soft texture.
These buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: European

Keywords: Pumpkin-shaped buns, Nutella buns, festive bread, sweet bread rolls, homemade bread, chocolate-filled buns, holiday baking