Dinner Rolls, Five Ways (CL)

By goldens64

One dough recipe yields five roll variations. To freeze rolls, bake, cool completely, wrap in heavy-duty foil, and freeze. Thaw and reheat (still wrapped) at 350° for 12 minutes or until warm. Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop; if it's too hot, let it cool to no warmer than 110° so your dough will rise nicely.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk, warmed (100° to 110°)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• Poppy seeds (optional)

Details

Servings 16
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm milk in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 3 cups flour and egg to milk mixture, stirring until smooth; cover and let stand 15 minutes.

Add 3/4 cup flour and salt; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of the remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent the dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).

Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, for 40 minutes or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into the dough. If an indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down; cover and let rest for 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 16 equal portions. Working with one portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), shape each portion into desired form (see "Shaping Options"). Place shaped dough portions on each of 2 baking sheets lightly sprinkled with 1/2 teaspoon cornmeal. Lightly coat shaped dough portions with cooking spray; cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 400°.

Gently brush dough portions with butter; sprinkle with poppy seeds, if desired. Place 1 baking sheet on bottom oven rack and 1 baking sheet on middle oven rack. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes; rotate baking sheets. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until lightly browned on top and hollow-sounding when tapped on bottom. Place on wire racks. Serve warm, or cool completely on wire racks.

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 roll)