Dinner Rolls Made Your Way

rolls

What You Need:

2 tsp sugar
2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
1 (12 oz.) can fat free evaporated milk, warmed to 100 to 110 degrees
4 C of whole white-wheat flour, divided
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cornmeal
2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

How to Make It:

Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm milk then allow it to stand for 5 minutes.
Stir 3 C of flour and egg into the milk mixture until smooth then let stand for 15 minutes.
Add in 3/4 C of the remaining dough and the salt to the mixture and work until a soft dough forms.
Lightly flour a flat surface, turn the dough out onto the flour and kneed for 8 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
You can add 1 tbsp of flour to the dough if necessary to keep it from sticking to your hands.
Spray a non metal bowl with a non stick cooking spray.
Add the dough turning it over to coat it with the cooking spray.
Cover and place in a warm draft free area to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled.
Punch the dough down with your fists, recover and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Divide the dough into 16 pieces.
Work with 1 piece of dough at a time leaving the remaining dough cover in the bowl.
Form the piece of dough in the desired shape (see tips below.)
Continue with each piece of dough until all the dough has been shaped.
Spread the cornmeal over a baking sheet.
Place the dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet and spray lightly with the cooking spray.
Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it is doubled in size.
Preset the oven to 400 degrees allowing it to preheat.
Brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown then remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes 16 rolls

To make plain rolls just form the dough pieces into balls. To make twists, shape the dough into an 18 inch rope; fold in the middle so the ends meet and holding both ends gently twist. To make knots, shape each dough portion into an 8 inch rope, tie the rope into a single knot and tuck the top end of the rope under the bottom of the knot. To make a cloverleaf, cut each dough piece into 3 equal size pieces and from them into balls. Place the 3 balls in a triangle on the baking being sure they touch each other so they can bake together. All purpose flour may be used in place of the whole white-wheat flour if you prefer.

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per roll)
Calories 151; Fat 2g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 27g; Protein 5g; Fiber 1g; Cholesterol 18 mg; Sodium 187 mg

Maple Topped Cinnamon Rolls

cinnamonrolls

What You Need:

1/3 C + 1 tsp sugar, divided
1 pkg. dry yeast
3/4 C warm water, 100 to 110 degrees
5 tbsp butter, melted and divided
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
3 1/2 C of flour
2/3 C of brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp orange peel, grated
1/4 C pecans, chopped
1 C powdered sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp fat free milk

How to Make It:

Stir 1 tsp of the sugar and the yeast into the warm water until dissolved.
Allow to stand undisturbed for 5 minutes.
Whisk together the remaining sugar, 3 tbsp of butter, the salt and the egg together.
Add the yeast mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium until well blended.
Add the flour slowly, beating as you add on low until the mixture forms a soft dough.
Lightly flour a flat surface and turn the dough out onto the flour.
Knead the dough for 5 minutes, adding 1 tbsp of flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Spray a non metal bowl with cooking spray and add the dough ball, turning to coat.
Cover and allow to rest 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and punch it down using your knuckles.
Roll the dough into a rectangle and brush the top side with the remaining butter.
Toss together in a mixing bowl the brown sugar, cinnamon and orange peel.
Scatter the mixture over the dough to within 1/2 inch of all the edges.
Roll the dough, beginning with a long side into a tight jelly roll.
Slice the rolls into 18 pieces and place cut side up into a baking pan.
Cover and allow rising for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Set the oven temperature to 375 allowing it to preheat.
Bake the rolls 20 minutes or until the tops are a golden brown.
Place the powdered sugar, syrup and milk into a bowl and whisk until smooth.
Top the warm rolls with the glaze and serve.

Makes 18 rolls

Try these rolls for breakfast or a brunch and see how fast they go. A regular glaze of powdered sugar and milk may used if you wish. Waiting on the dough to rise before you baking them is the only hard part when it comes to making these tasty breakfast treats.