Deliciously Festive: Homemade Pumpkin Buns and Savory Shiitake BLT Sandwiches for Fall & Halloween

As October deepens and the air turns crisp, our thoughts inevitably drift to all things autumn, especially Halloween! While mountains of candy and sugary treats are a hallmark of the season, sometimes you crave something a little different, a touch more substantial. Let’s be honest, with kids bringing home their trick-or-treating haul and leftover candy lingering in every corner, the last thing you truly *need* is another Halloween dessert, right? (Though, we can always make exceptions for my spooky eyeballs and creepy cupcakes!) This year, why not embrace the savory side of festive eating? We’re diving into a wonderful, unique, and incredibly satisfying option: shiitake BLT sandwiches served on fluffy, homemade pumpkin buns. It’s the perfect blend of seasonal charm and delicious nourishment, making it an ideal choice for Halloween gatherings, fall brunches, or simply a comforting meal on a cool autumn evening.

Updated October 14, 2019 (Originally posted October 31, 2017)

These adorable and festive pumpkin buns are truly a showstopper! Not only do they look like miniature pumpkins, but their subtle sweetness and soft texture make them an irresistible foundation for any sandwich. We’ve paired them with a savory shiitake BLT, a fantastic vegetarian twist on a classic, inspired by The Love and Lemons Cookbook. October is National Cookbook Month, and in 2017, I focused on exploring and reviewing several selected recipes from this wonderful cookbook, discovering delicious inspirations like this one.

Crafting Your Own Festive Pumpkin Buns

The magic of these pumpkin buns starts with an incredibly simple, virtually no-fuss dough. The best part? The dough comes together effortlessly in a bread machine! This truly is a no-knead recipe, saving you time and effort while still delivering incredibly soft, fluffy, and flavorful buns. If you’re new to bread making, or just looking for a convenient way to create impressive homemade bread, the bread machine is your secret weapon.

To begin, simply load all your ingredients into your bread machine and select the dough setting. This machine will handle all the kneading, rising, and mixing for you. Once the dough cycle is complete and your dough is beautifully proofed, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into six equal portions – aim for consistency to ensure even baking and uniform “pumpkins.” Roll each piece into a smooth, round ball. Now comes the creative part: achieving that signature pumpkin shape. Take a piece of well-oiled kitchen twine (the oil is crucial to prevent sticking!) and loosely wrap it around each dough ball, dividing it into eight sections. Tie the ends of the twine gently in the center. The goal is to create indentations, not to squeeze the dough tightly. Place these shaped dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to generously oil your twine. If the twine isn’t well-lubricated, it will inevitably stick to the baked bread, making removal a frustrating challenge. A good coating of coconut oil or any neutral cooking oil will ensure a smooth release and beautifully segmented pumpkin buns after baking. This small step makes a huge difference in the final presentation and your overall baking experience.

Once your dough balls are shaped and on the baking sheet, cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Find a warm spot in your kitchen and let them rise for approximately 30 minutes to an hour, or until the dough has visibly doubled in size. This second proofing stage is vital for achieving that wonderfully fluffy texture. As they rise, the twine will gently press into the expanding dough, further defining those pumpkin-like segments.

Just before popping them into the oven, add a charming detail: a pumpkin seed on top of each bun to act as the stem. This small touch enhances the visual appeal, making your homemade pumpkin buns truly come to life and ready for their starring role in your fall celebrations!

Bake these delightful pumpkin buns for 10 minutes at 320°F/160°C. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F/150°C and continue baking for another 10 minutes. This slightly lower baking temperature is a clever trick to ensure the buns maintain their beautiful, vibrant pumpkin color without browning too much. Once baked to perfection, transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Patience is key here, as you’ll want them fully cooled before you attempt to remove the twine.

I won’t lie; peeling the twine off can be a bit of a delicate operation. I discovered that tying some of my dough balls a little too tightly resulted in the twine becoming embedded. In those cases, a tiny, careful slice along the crease of the bread was sometimes necessary to gently ease the twine out with a pair of tweezers. But trust me, the effort is well worth it when you see how wonderfully realistic and charming your pumpkin buns turn out!

Just look at how incredibly fluffy these pumpkin buns are! Once completely cooled and free of twine, slice them in half, ready to be filled with your savory shiitake BLT goodness. For an extra layer of texture and a burst of flavor, you can toast or lightly grill the cut sides of the buns before assembling your sandwiches. This adds a lovely crispness and warmth, complementing the fillings beautifully.

Creating a Flavorful Shiitake BLT: A Vegetarian Twist

Venturing into the world of meatless BLT sandwiches was a delightful culinary adventure for me. I’ve encountered various creative alternatives over the years, from smoky eggplant bacon to crispy coconut bacon, and as showcased in the excellent Love & Lemons recipe, flavorful mushroom bacon. Shiitake mushrooms, with their inherent umami richness and meaty texture, prove to be an exceptional choice for this plant-based transformation, offering a deeply satisfying and unique flavor profile.

Making shiitake “bacon” is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding. The process involves simply marinating thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms in a mixture of good quality extra-virgin olive oil and tamari (or soy sauce for a non-gluten-free option). This marinade infuses the mushrooms with a rich, savory depth. Once marinated, they are baked in the oven until they transform into deliciously chewy, and ideally, crispy strips. The key is to achieve a texture that provides a satisfying bite, mimicking the experience of traditional bacon.

During my initial attempt, I confess I might have sliced my shiitake mushrooms a bit too thick. Consequently, they didn’t quite achieve the desired crispiness in the oven, even after a generous 40 minutes of baking. While I could have continued baking them, my kitchen and dining room were already wonderfully perfumed with a strong, inviting shiitake aroma, and my hunger simply wouldn’t allow me to wait any longer! For truly crispy results, I recommend slicing the mushrooms as thinly as possible and ensuring they are spread in a single layer on the baking sheet to allow for even crisping. Don’t overcrowd the pan!

Once your shiitake bacon is ready, it’s time to assemble these delightful sandwiches. Generously spread some creamy mayonnaise on both halves of your homemade pumpkin buns. Then, layer in crisp, fresh lettuce, juicy slices of ripe tomatoes, and, of course, your freshly baked shiitake “bacon.”

Seriously, how charming are these shiitake BLT sandwiches? Beyond their adorable appearance, they are absolutely delicious, as long as you approach them with an open mind and don’t expect an exact replica of a traditional bacon BLT. The shiitake mushrooms provide a remarkable depth of umami and a satisfying chewy texture, but they inherently taste like mushrooms, not pork bacon. If I were to make these again, I would definitely incorporate a dash of smoked paprika into the marinade. This addition would introduce a lovely, smoky undertone, pushing the “bacon” flavor profile even closer to the classic taste without relying on actual meat.

Even if you’re not a fan of mushrooms or the idea of a vegetarian BLT, these homemade pumpkin buns are a fantastic recipe to try on their own! They are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of sweet or savory applications. I’ve personally enjoyed them simply with peanut butter and maple syrup for a comforting breakfast or snack, and they were absolutely divine! Their subtle pumpkin flavor and soft texture make them a delightful addition to any meal.

Looking to round out your festive fall feast with some delicious desserts? These savory sandwiches pair wonderfully with classic autumn treats. Consider making my delightful pumpkin bars for a comforting spiced treat, or my rich and creamy dairy-free pumpkin pie for a truly indulgent experience. Both would perfectly complement the unique flavors of these pumpkin bun BLTs, making your fall spread unforgettable.

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