Thanksgiving rolls 2012

Found this recipe on "Our best bites" and they are called The worlds best dinner rolls. I have to say, they were! Made these for thanksgiving and they actually turned out and were super easy.

Click the link above for step by step pictures

World’s Best Dinner RollsRecipe by Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

2 c. whole milk (if you’re in a pinch, you can use 2%, but whole is best. Don’t use 1% or skim)
½ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) butter
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 packages active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp.), preferably bread machine yeast
2/3 cup warm (105-115-degree) water
8-9 cups all-purpose flour
3 beaten eggs

Instructions:

Combine milk, 1/2 c. sugar, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat. Allow to cool to lukewarm. I usually rub some ice cubes along the sides of the pan or pop the entire pan in a sink full of ice cubes to cool the mixture down because this step can take forever. This step is really important because if the mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast.

While the milk mixture is cooling, dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes. If the yeast hasn’t bubbled, you’ll need to repeat this step–moving on with yeast that hasn’t been activated properly will only end in heartache for you and hate mail for us.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 c. flour and milk mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Add yeast mixture and beat on high for 3 minutes.
Add beaten eggs. Why should you beat your eggs first? Same reason you should combine your dry ingredients before adding them to moist ingredients when making cookies and cakes–it ensures everything is well-mixed and can be evenly-distributed through your dough or batter. If you add the whole eggs, your dough may not be as consistent.

Stir in as much remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough. This dough should be very soft–it will be coming away from the sides of the bowl, but it will still stick to your finger when you touch it. Don’t worry, it will firm up during the rising process. Part of what makes these rolls so good is that they’re so soft and light; if you add too much flour, they will be heavy and dense. Place the bowl in a warm place and cover with a clean towel; allow to rise 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Lightly flour your work surface and turn dough out onto surface. Divide in half.

Spray 2 9×13 glass pans with cooking spray. Roll first portion of dough into a rectangle and then cut it into 12 equal-sized pieces. I like to use a pizza cutter because it has a blade on each side, so it cuts right through dough without sticking to the blade. This dough should be very easy to work with, almost like playdough. Shape each piece into a ball and place in prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough in the second pan.

Cover with a clean cloth and allow to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. When dough has about 15-20 minutes to go (depending on your oven), preheat oven to 375.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden-brown.

When done, remove from oven. Rub a stick of cold butter over the tops of the rolls. You must now eat one. Now. While it’s hot.

Then pop the rest into a bowl and no one will ever know that you cheated. Makes 2 dozen rolls.

MAKING AHEAD:  We have received tons of comments and emails asking about making these rolls ahead, or freezing the dough, etc.  Note that we have never before tried any of these methods so we can’t give you an answer for sure.  You can try freezing the dough after they have been shaped (but before the second rise) and you can certainly try cooking and cooling completely and then freezing.  Just keep in mind we only make these fresh and eat them hot from the pan so that’s all the info we can give you.

Zucchini Muffins

This recipe FREEZES BEAUTIFULLY! I also like it because its a small recipe (12 muffins) and only requires 1 egg! My kids have been eating these for breakfast for a week now.

Courtesy of Taste Of Home

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

• In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done. Yield: about 1 dozen.

Lloyd's Famous Rolls

(Image: whatscookingamerica.net)

One of my Laurels Lexi LLoyd used to leave me these rolls in my mailbox whenever her mom made them. thats how much I loved them. I tried to make them at Thanksgiving and they tasted good, but didnt look like they should have. Breads in general hate me. Oh well. Make these. And leave some in my mailbox if you love me.

Andrea Lloyd's rolls (also her cinnamon roll recipe)

Microwave for 3 1/2 mins:

1 cup milk

1/2 cube butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

Add to the above with a fork:

1 cup water with a little ice

2 Tbsp yeast

1 whipped egg

Add 4 cups of flour and mix it all up in the trusty old kitchen aide.  Cover and let rise about 1 hour (until it doubles).  Punch it down and let rise again.  Punch again.  Then she takes a handful and pinches the dough off (hehe) into little balls.  Place them onto a cookie sheet or 9x13 and bake at 365 for 13-20 mins.  (quite broad - I guess just watch them)

I always keep a bag of the always delicious Rhodes rolls on hand just in case these don't turn out.  :)

Banana Flaxy Nut Muffins

BANANA FLAXY NUT MUFFINS

These are delicious nutty and healthy. Enjoy.

1/3 cup butter

4 ripe mashed bananas

2/3 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup walnuts

1/4 cup flax seeds

Mix egg, bananas, butter. Add powder, soda, nuts, salt, and flax. Dump flour in last. Stir and pour into 12 greased muffin cups.

Bake 350 for 15-20 mins

Easy Banana Bread

Mix together in a bowl:

3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar

Mix together in another bowl:

3 large ripe bananas; mashed
1/2 cup applesauce
4 TBLS butter melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently by hand.
Add:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts

*If the mixture is too dry- add more applesauce; if the mixture is too wet - add more flour.

Pour into pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until toothpick or knife comes out clean.

I made this today and doubled it; I did have to add in more flour but it tastes delicious!

Buttery Basil Cheese Stix

Heres a very easy bread recipe that doesnt require a lengthy rising process or kneading extravaganza. And I know you have everything you need to make these just sitting around in your pantry. Excellent! The perfect cure for the Italian meal where you need a quick and easy side dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
1 T olive oil
2T dry basil
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1T baking powder
1 cup of milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for dough)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (for topping)

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. place butter and oil in 9x13 dish, let melt in oven. Dont burn it!!!
3. Remove pan from oven, set aside
4. In mixer throw in dry ingredients, stir
5. Gradually add milk until dough forms
6. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface
7. knead 5 times or until dough is together and forming a ball
8. roll out into a rectangle - 9x13
9. place dough directly in dish on top of melted oil/butter
10. sprinkle top with cheese
11. with a pizza cutter, cut dough into 1/2 inch thick sticks
12. bake for 20 minutes...and serve hot!

*** You could easily make these sweet and sticky by adding in some brown sugar and cinnamon to the butter in the pan. (Youll want to omit the cheese and basil from the dough too..obviously!***

Alternative addins:

Sundried tomatos, scallions, parmesan cheese, garlic, goat cheese, spinach, paprika, coriander, cumin, caraway or sesame seeds. 

Look what Jayna Made: Rolls

Oh dear...Jayna offered to bring a side dish again. Its a good thing she knows about Rhodes Rolls. Just buy them, follow the directions on the package, and serve. The great news is even if she drops them they are relatively guaranteed to make it to the table. So if you are like Jayna - know your limits and offer to bring these to your next function!