Elaine’s Sweet Rolls

I’m yeast-challenged, so when I come across a recipe that uses instant yeast, I want to shout for joy and do a little dance. This is now officially the third thing I can make that has yeast in it! Sorry if I seem a little enthusiastic, but it’s really exciting for me.

Elaine’s Sweet Rolls
MAKES ABOUT 16 GOOD SIZED ROLLS

1 Tbsp. SAF instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 cups flour (may not need all of it)
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup butter (or shortening, but I changed it to butter)*
1 egg

(This is the way I made it because there weren’t any directions given, I think she assumed I would know what to do….)

1. Beat the egg with a fork in a large bowl. Microwave milk, butter and sugar in a large measuring cup until the temperature is 110-115 degrees F. and the butter is melted. Slowly whisk the milk mixture into the egg.

2. Place 1 1/2 cups of the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer. (I used my Bosch, so other mixers may require different mixing methods.) Add the yeast. Slowly add the milk mixture while the motor is running. Add the remaining flour slowly–you may not need all of it, until the dough is sticky, but comes away from the sides of the bowl. Add the salt. Continue mixing/kneading the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. (Pinch off a small piece and see if it stretches.)

3. Spray a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray and place dough in the bowl to rise. Cover with plastic wrap that has also been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Place in a warm place to rise. When dough has doubled in size, punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.

4. Depending on the kind of rolls** you want to make, either cut into 16 pieces for individual rolls, or roll out entire dough to make cinnamon rolls. You can also make them into regular dinner rolls.

5. Let the rolls rise again until double in size. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet, or a greased 9″ by 13″ baking dish, at 375 degrees F. for less than 12 minutes. Watch closely so they don’t burn on top. Cover with foil if they are gettting too brown. Serve warm.

*If you want to make hamburger buns or dinner rolls, you can substitute oil for the butter or shortening.

**For making orange rolls: Form the dough pieces into ropes of equal length. Dip in 1/4 cup melted butter and then in 1/2-1 cup granulated sugar mixed with the grated rind of 2 oranges. Form into knots and bake as directed above.

For the glaze: 1/2 cup melted butter, 1-2 cups powdered sugar, the juice of 2 oranges. Drizzle or spread over the warm rolls.

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