Dinner Rolls

 

I have never been one to like homemade bread, but these rolls have changed my way of thinking, got these from Our Best Bites. It is a long process, but it was well worth it! I have been munching on them all week!

Ingredients:

- 2 c. whole milk (if you're in a pinch, you can use 2%, but whole is best.)
- ½ c. + 1 Tbsp. sugar, divided
- 1/3 c. (5 1/3 Tbsp.) butter
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 pkgs. active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp.)

- 2/3 c. warm (105-115-degree) water
- 7-8 c. all-purpose flour
- 3 beaten eggs

Combine milk, 1/2 c. sugar, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until butter melts.

Remove from heat. Allow to cool to lukewarm. I of course am impatient and popped the entire pan in a sink full of ice cubes to cool the mixture down a lot quicker.

While the milk mixture is cooling, dissolve the yeast and 1 Tbsp. sugar in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes. If the yeast hasn't bubbled, you'll need to repeat this step because it hasn't activated.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 c. flour and milk mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Add yeast mixture and beat on high for 3 minutes. Add beaten eggs and mix in.

Stir in as much remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough. This dough should be very soft--it will be coming away from the sides of the bowl, but it will still stick to your finger when you touch it. Don't worry, it will firm up during the rising process. Place the bowl in a warm place and cover with a clean towel; allow to rise 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Lightly flour your work surface and turn dough out onto surface. Divide in half.

Spray 2 9x13 glass pans with cooking spray. Roll first portion of dough into a rectangle and then cut it into 12 equal-sized pieces. I like to use a pizza cutter (it cuts nicely).  Shape each piece into a ball and place in prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough in the second pan.

Cover with a clean cloth and allow to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. When dough has about 15-20 minutes to go (depending on your oven), preheat oven to 375.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden-brown. When done, remove from oven. Rub a stick of cold butter over the tops of the rolls and enjoy!