Refrigerator Rolls 101
Author: 
Recipe type: bread, rolls
 
Refrigerator Rolls (adapted from the Lion House Classics Cookbook)
Ingredients
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole or lowfat milk
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon instant or quick-rise yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
  1. Place butter, sugar and milk in a large, glass, 4-cup measuring cup. Microwave for several minutes until the butter is almost all melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is very hot to the touch. (I check it on my instant read thermometer and the temp should be about 140 degrees F because it will cool down once you add it to the eggs.)
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs well. Slowly drizzle the hot milk mixture into the eggs while whisking continuously. The bowl and the eggs should be warm. (110 degrees F. is the perfect temperature.)
  3. Place the flour and the yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
  4. Note: this won't work with a dough hook--this isn't a typical bread dough. A paddle attachment can easily handle this very soft dough.
  5. Turn the mixer on low to evenly distribute the yeast.
  6. With the mixer running, add the liquids in a slow, steady stream. When all the liquid has been added, turn the mixer up to medium and let it run for 1 minute. Add the salt.
  7. Keep mixing for another three or so minutes, or until the dough starts to form strong webs as it mixes.
  8. Rub the inside of a very large bowl with oil. Place the finished dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot where it can rise. (Test your dough, if needed. It should be strong and stretchy.)
  9. When the dough has doubled in size, sprinkle it with about 1 Tbsp. flour and punch it down. (Don't use too much flour--just enough so the dough doesn't stick to your hand.)
  10. Wrap the bowl well with a few layers of plastic wrap. (You don't want the dough to dry out.) Refrigerate the dough until chilled. It can be kept overnight and up to 5 days.
  11. When you are ready to bake the rolls remove the dough from the fridge.
  12. Sprinkle a little flour over a flat, clean surface. (I like to use my silicone baking mat for this.)
  13. For crescent rolls: roll dough into a large circle and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut dough evenly into triangles. Start with the wide end and roll up the dough to form the crescent.
  14. For round, dinner rolls: Cut the dough into equal pieces. For smaller rolls - make 24, medium - 16, large - 12.
  15. Roll dough into a rough ball. Place your finger in the center of the dough.Push your finger up from the bottom while using your other hand to form a round ball on the top.
  16. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. (If you don't have either of these, don't fret. It's fine to use a plain baking sheet that has been greased.) Squish the flaps on the underside together. The top should be relatively smooth and will get smoother once the rolls have raised. Cover with a large disposable aluminum pan or a clean, plastic garbage bag. (I use a grocery sack that I cut up one side and lay flat.) Let the rolls rise until double in size. (For speed rise method, place the rolls in a slightly warm oven--about 150 degrees F with a pan of boiling water beneath them.) (The note in the Lion House Cookbook says they can even be left to rise for as many as 5 hours without any damage being done. Great for a day when it's uncertain when the rolls will go in the oven--like Thanksgiving.)
  17. Brush the tops of the raised rolls with a little melted butter or a beaten egg. Bake at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden.
  18. Serve warm.
Notes
Other notes:
These rolls are best the day they are made. To keep them fresh for longer, store in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container and gently reheat in a warm oven.
They freeze well if you need to make them in advance. Bake the rolls partially for about 7 or 8 minutes--not until they are golden brown. Let the rolls cool completely and freeze them for up to a month. To reheat and finish baking, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the rolls for about 5-8 minutes or until golden brown on top.

For making sweet rolls:
Cinnamon Rolls
Roll dough out into a large rectangle. Spread dough with a mixture of softened butter. cinnamon and sugar. (I usually use ¼ cup butter and sprinkle the dough with either brown sugar or premixed cinnamon and sugar.) Top with raisins or nuts, if desired. Using the longer side of the dough, roll the dough over itself and seal the edge. Cut into 16 equal pieces. Let raise as directed above (no egg wash is needed) and bake rolls at 350 degrees F until lightly golden. Let cool slightly before serving. If desired, spread rolls with icing.

Cinnamon Roll Icing:
1 stick butter
3 cups powdered sugar
a few Tbsp. milk
vanilla extract
Beat butter and slowly add the powdered sugar, using milk if needed to reach a spreadable consistency. Add vanilla extract, if desired.

Orange Rolls:
After you add the salt to the dough while it is mixing, add the zest from 1 orange. Continue with the recipe as directed. Shape dough into round balls or twist into knots. Raise and bake as directed.

For the orange glaze/icing:
3 oz. cream cheese
¼ cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
a few Tbsp. orange juice
a little vanilla extract
zest of 1 orange
Beat butter and cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar and orange juice to reach desired consistency--thicker for a frosting, thinner for a glaze. Add the zest and a little vanilla.
Recipe by Cafe Johnsonia at https://cafejohnsonia.com/2008/04/how-to-make-refrigerator-rolls.html