Thanksgiving: Rolls

I'm conflicted about rolls. Which is weird. I've ALWAYS been a homemade roll kinda gal. This year, though, I'm actually considering buying rolls. Strange, I know. I'll probably end up making rolls ... probably.

Here are two great roll recipes:

One-hour Rolls

• 5 t Yeast
• 1/4 C warm water
• 1 1/2 C buttermilk (I think this is the real key)
• 1/4 C sugar
• 1/2 C oil
• 1 t salt
• 4 1/2 C flour (I did 2 1/2 of wheat and 2 C white)
• 1/2 t baking soda

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a small bowl.
   
2. In mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, sugar, oil, and salt, then mix.
   
3. Add the yeast mixture once it has become frothy, then mix well.
4. Add flour and baking soda.
5. Knead (with machine or by hand) until the dough is smooth (2-5 minutes).
6. Let stand for 10 minutes.
7. Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
8. Cut into triangles and roll from wide side to thin (forming a crescent).
9. Place on cookie sheet (with nonstick spray on it).
10. Let rise for 30 minutes.
11. Bake in preheated 425f oven for 10 minutes.

These have a fabulous texture. I use honey instead of sugar and that works great. I also reduce the oil slightly.

Mom's Rolls

In a small bowl combine and then brew until very frothy (usually about 5 minutes):

• 1/4 C warm water
• 2 T yeast
• 1 t sugar

In a large bowl stir/dissolve:

• 1/2 C oil
• 1/2 C sugar
• 3/4 C hot water

Add and stir well:

• 2 t salt
• 3 eggs
• yeast mixture

Mix in (it should still be somewhat sticky and a little lumpy):

• 4 1/2 C sifted flour

Raise for one hour.

1. Punch down and on a floured surface roll out until about 1/3 inch thick rectangle. 
2. Brush softened butter on the dough. 
3. Cut into triangles and roll from the fat side to the point. 
4. Place rolls on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray (like Pam).
5. Raise for an additional hour.
6. Bake at 400 f for 9-12 minutes.
   

total project time: 2.5 - 3 hours

Baked Apple French Toast

Ingredients

Day 1
1 (1 pound) loaf French bread*, cut diagonally in 1 inch slices
8 eggs
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon


*Homemade bread works great. Use your small loaf pans for a perfect size.

• Day 2
• 2 apples cored, peeled, and coarsely chopped (optional)
• 3/4 cup butter (melted)
• 1 1/3 cups brown sugar
• 
  

Directions

1. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the slices of bread in the bottom. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over bread slices, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
2. The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place your chopped apple pieces on top of the bread (which will have soaked up all that yummy egg and milk) In a small bowl, combine butter, and brown sugar. Pour over bread and egg mixture.
3. Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 40 minutes.

This is a yummy breakfast or brunch. Try it for a Christmas brunch. We will be having this Thanksgiving morning. YUM!

Sweet Cornbread Muffins

Ingredients:
1 C flour
1 C cornmeal
1/3 C sugar
1/3 C honey
1 t salt
3 1/2 t baking powder
1 egg
1/2 C milk
1/2 C buttermilk
2 T vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 380.
   
2. Put liners into 12 cupcake slots (or spray the slots with nonstick spray).
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, slat, and baking powder.
   
4. Add the egg, milk, oil, and honey then stir until well mixed.
5. Pour batter into cupcake slots.
6. Bake for 15 minutes.