Southern Light Rolls Recipes

CLASSIC LIGHT ROLLS

Steps:

• In the detached bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the warm water, a pinch of sugar, and yeast. Let stand until mixture is foamy, about 6 minutes.
• Attach the bowl to electric mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment. With machine speed on low, add milk, butter, remaining sugar, salt, and 2 lightly beaten eggs. Gradually add enough flour to form a sticky but manageable dough. Transfer the dough to a large buttered bowl; cover tightly with buttered plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 2 1/2 hours.
• Line 1 large or 2 small baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn out dough onto a floured work surface. With a floured rolling pin, roll out dough to a 3/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter, cut 24 rounds of dough as closely together as possible. Place rounds 1/4 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Cover with buttered plastic wrap. Let rolls rise until they are light and do not spring back when pressed with your fingertip, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly beat remaining egg with the water. Brush mixture on tops of rounds; sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until rolls are golden brown, 20 to 23 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 5 minutes. Serve warm.

PILLOW-SOFT DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (dough will be sticky). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 24 pieces. Shape each into a roll. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks.

FEATHERLIGHT ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in 1 tablespoon sugar; let stand 5 minutes. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, salt, 3 cups flour and remaining sugar. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (mixture will be sticky). Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 24 portions. Divide each portion into three pieces; shape each into a ball. Place three balls in each greased muffin cup. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-3/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

SOUTHERN BUTTER ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix together flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in a bowl. Add shortening and mix well. Mix in water.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for 20 minutes, or by machine for 12 to 14 minutes. Toss dough with vegetable oil in a bowl; cover the bowl and let proof for 1 hour.
• Form dough into 24 rounds, and place on a greased baking tray. Cover and let proof for 45 minutes more.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 12 to 14 minutes.

OLD-FASHIONED SOUTHERN ROLLS

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the shortening and sugar; stir until melted. Add cold water and let cool until lukewarm.
• Pour milk mixture into a large bowl. Add egg and yeast; mix well. Beat in 3 cups of flour and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Sift in baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Divide each piece in half and form into 24 rolls. Place the rounds in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking pan or on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

SOUTHERN "LIGHT" ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix water, yeast, and sugar together until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add oil and salt, mix.
• Add flour, one cup at a time, until dough pulls away from the side of the mixing bowl and does not stick to your fingers when touched.
• Let dough rise, about 1 hour.
• Punch down, shape, and place on your baking pan (makes 36 rolls or 2 loaves).
• Let dough rise again, about 1 hour.
• Brush tops of rolls or loaves with 1 stick of melted butter. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden brown.
• Optional: When rolls are removed from oven, brush with another stick of melted butter.

CLASSIC DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine 3/4 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Heat milk, water and butter until very warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees F). Add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/4 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
• Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; shape into balls. Place in greased 8-inch round pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Bake in preheated 375 degrees F oven for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; brush with additional melted butter, if desired. Serve warm.

LIGHT AND EASY DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl and let it stand for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in oil, sugar, eggs and salt.
• Beat in flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough is too stiff to mix ( some flour may not be needed).
• Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or up to 4 days.
• Grease a 13X9-inch baking pan. Turn the chilled dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 24 equal-size pieces. Roll each piece into a ball; place balls in the prepared pan.
• Cover and let dough balls rise for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• Bake until rolls are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Break rolls apart to serve.