dinner rolls

This summer I wanted to experiment with bread.  I started with this basic recipe and this summer I will be sprucing them up with some herbs from the garden.  It was also fun to experiment with different shapes.

I got this recipe off of a site called cookingbread.com, the site has a lot of different recipes and tips on baking bread.  For these rolls you will need:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup liquid honey
• 4 - 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt

Put the honey, shortening, and butter in a bowl.  Pour the milk in a sauce pan and cook on high until it is hot but not boiling.  Pour the heated up milk over your honey and butter and stir until the butter is melted and the honey is completely mixed in. 

Add two cups of flower and stir until smooth.  Allow the mixture to cool to about 110 degrees F.  When it has cooled add in the yeast, and salt.  mix until smooth and then allow to rest for about 15 minutes.  Begin to add the rest of the flour slowly while kneading the dough.  You may or may not need all of the flour.  Stop adding flour when the dough has stopped sticking to the bowl or counter top. 

When the dough has stopped sticking continue to knead for about ten minutes.  Form into an oval ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for about one hour, or until it has doubled in size.

After the dough has risen separate into twelve equal pieces.  You can either leave them in a ball or shape them into what ever shape you like.  I rolled mine out into snakes and then carefully tied them into double knots, braids, or scroll shapes. 

Place the rolls on a sprayed cookie sheet and cover with plastic.  Allow the rolls to rise again for about another hour or until they have doubled in size.  Before you are ready to cook them, brush a coat of egg yolk over them to give the finished product a nice browned shine.  Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes.

Serve hot with jam or honey.