Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Ingredients

 * 3/4 cup whole milk, scalded
 * 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
 * 1/3 cup light brown sugar
 * 1/3 cup white sugar
 * 6 tablespoons butter
 * 1 egg
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 2 packages active dry yeast (1/2 ounces) plus 1 teaspoon white sugar
 * 1/4 cup lukewarm water
 * 5 cups all-purpose flour
 * 15-20 pecan halves, sliced into 3 vertical sections
 * 1/4 cup melted butter, optional

Directions

 * 1) Pour hot milk in a mixing bowl, add butter and stir to melt. Add sugars, pumpkin puree, salt to the milk and combine well.
 * 2) In a small bowl proof yeast in a lukewarm water with a teaspoon sugar. When it gets foamy add to the pumpkin mixture, and add the egg, mix well.
 * 3) Add in flour gradually and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. The dough will be sticky.
 * 4) If using electric mixer, attach a dough hook and beat the mixture until the dough itself pulls from the side of the bowl.
 * 5) Turn the dough out to a wooden board dusted with a little flour. Knead with hand for 1 minute. Form the dough into a ball shape, place in a greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hr.
 * 6) Punch the dough to deflate and knead it for a few seconds on a wooden board. Cut the dough in half. Cut each half into about 15 pieces.
 * 7) Roll each piece into a ball shape with your hand. Flatten the piece with palm of your hand a little. Using a knife, give 8 cuts on the edge to mimic flower pedals but the leave center uncut.
 * 8) Poke the center with your finger to give a deep indentation, and repeat the same procedure to all the other pieces.
 * 9) Place them, 2" apart, on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or baking mat, and let them rise again to be doubled, about 45 minutes.
 * 10) Preheat oven 350ºF for 20 minutes.
 * 11) If the center indentation is not obvious on the rolls, poke them again with your finger.
 * 12) Brush with egg wash, if you wish, and bake for 9-12 minutes until the top gets slightly golden.
 * 13) Brush the rolls with melted butter or a little honey diluted with water to make it shine if you wish.
 * 14) Insert pecan slices on top to mimic pumpkin stem.