Fannie Farmer Parker House Rolls Recipes

FANNIE FARMER'S PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix the 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter, the sugar, the salt and the warm milk in a large bowl and let cool to lukewarm.
• Stir the yeast into 1/4 cup warm water and let it stand for 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Make the sponge: Add 3 cups flour and the dissolved yeast to the ​milk​ mixture and beat vigorously for 2 minutes​ to form a loose batter.​ Cover and let rise in a warm place until double​d​ in bulk, about 1 hour​. ​​​
• Stir in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time to form a shaggy dough firm enough to knead. Turn out onto a lightly floured board, knead for a minute or two, then let rest for 10 minutes. Resume kneading until smooth​, 8 to 10 minutes​.​ (Alternatively, add the sponge and 3 cups flour to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, and knead on low until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 10 minutes.) Cover the bowl and let rise again until doubled in bulk, 45 to 60 minutes. ​
• Using a rolling pin, roll out dough until it is 1/3 inch thick. Cut with a 2 3/4-inch round biscuit cutter or with an oval Parker House roll cutter.
• Using the dull edge of a knife, make a crease through the center of each piece of dough, brush with melted butter, fold in half along the crease, and press edges lightly together.
• Place rolls 1 inch apart on a buttered baking sheet (or use a silicone baking mat). Let rise again until dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes. (It should feel spongy to the touch, and hold an indentation when pressed with a finger.)
• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 425 degrees. Bake rolls until golden, about 12 to 18 minutes. Brush again with melted butter. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm. The rolls are best when freshly baked but can be reheated in a 350-degree oven for a few minutes before serving.

PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• Bloom the yeast: Add yeast to lukewarm water, stirring to dissolve, and leave at room temperature for 10 minutes so the yeast can "bloom," or activate. Meanwhile, heat milk in a small saucepan just until warmed through, but not hot. Remove from heat and stir in the molasses and butter. Cool slightly.
• Proof the dough: Add the flour to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using a dough hook on low speed, add milk mixture, salt, buttermilk, and the bloomed yeast. Mix until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing until the dough comes together and takes on a glossy consistency. Place the dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap (or a container with a tight-fitting lid) and let it rest in a warm place (68-74 degrees F) for 1-1½ hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
• Roll the dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and place onto a lightly floured surface. With a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough until it's about 1/3-inch thick. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter (or drinking glass), cut circles out of the dough (use remaining dough to make more rolls). Using the flour-dusted rolling pin, indent the middle of each roll to make ovals. Fold the ovals in half, pinch to close, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a dry kitchen towel and let the rolls rest in a warm place until they've doubled in size, 45 minutes.
• Bake the rolls: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place rolls in the oven and bake until golden brown, 15-18 minutes. Remove and brush with melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt; serve piping hot. Note: If you've made extra rolls and want to freeze some, bake as directed, but don't finish with melted butter or salt. Cool on the sheet pan, then place in a plastic freezer bag and put the bag into the freezer for up to two weeks. To thaw rolls, remove from the freezer the night before you want to serve them. Take the rolls out of the plastic bag and wrap loosely in foil. Let thaw at room temperature overnight. Rolls can be served as soon as they've thawed, but are even better if re-warmed in their foil packing for about 10 minutes in a 300 F oven. They can also be microwaved (out of the packaging) directly from the freezer for 15-30 seconds, depending on your microwave. Finish with melted butter, salt and serve.

FANNIE FARMER PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• Whisk yeast and water in small bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Heat milk in small saucepan over medium til just warm. Combine shortening, sugar, and salt in large bowl. Add warm milk; whisk to blend, breaking up shortening into small clumps (it may not melt completely).
• Whisk in yeast mixture and egg. Add flour; stir vigorously with wooden spoon til dough forms. Knead dough with lightly floured hands on lightly floured surface until smooth, 4-5 minutes.
• Transfer to lightly oiled bowl; turn to coat. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temp til doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven ot 350. Melt butter in small saucepan. Lightly brush a 13x9 dish with some melted butter. Punch down dough, divide into 4 equal pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into 12x6 rectangle.
• Cut lengthwise into three 2" wide strips; cut each crosswise into three 4x2" rectangles. Brush half of each with melted butter; fold unbuttered side over, allowing 1/4" overhang. Place flat in 1 corner of the dish, folded edge against short side of dish. Add remaining rolls, shingling to form 1 long row. Repeat with remaining dough for 4 rows. Brush with butter; loosely cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 min or up to 6 hours.
• Bake rolls until golden and puffed, 25-35 minutes. Brush with butter; sprinkle with sea salt.