Dinner Rolls (or Cinnamon Rolls)

My kids think my roll recipe is something special, when it’s really just the recipe that Better Homes & Gardens has included in their cookbook for years.  I generally use the recipe for dinner rolls, but it’s also good for cinnamon rolls. Makes 24 dinner rolls.

4 to 4 1/2 cups flour

1 package (or 2 1/2 t) active dry yeast

1 cup milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 beaten eggs       

1. Sift together 2 cups of flour and the yeast.
2. In a medium saucepan heat the milk, sugar, butter, and salt over Medium Low heat until just warm and butter almost melts.
3. Add milk mixture to dry mixture, along with the eggs. Stir or beat with mixer on high speed for 3 minutes.
4. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. Then turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Kneed in enough remaining flour to make moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total).
5. Shape the dough into a ball. Place in lightly greased bowl. Turn once, cover, and let rise in warm place until double (about 1 hour).

Shaping and baking dinner rolls

1. Punch dough down. Split into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12” circle. Brush with melted butter or margarine (optional…I don’t do this). Cut each circle into 12 wedges. To shape, begin at the wide end of the wedge and roll toward the point. Place point side down, 2 to 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
2. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double (about 30 minutes).
3. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12 minutes or till golden. Immediately remove from pans and let cool on wire racks. Makes 24 rolls.

Shaping and baking cinnamon rolls

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes (I usually, um, skip that part). Lightly grease 2-9 1/2” round baking pans. Roll each portion of dough into a 12x8” rectangle. Brush with melted 3 tablespoons butter. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over dough. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting from a long side. Seal seam. Slice each roll into 12 equal pieces. Place in prepared pans, cover, and let rise in warm place until nearly double (about 30 minutes). Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till golden. Cool slightly, remove from pan. If desired, drizzle with powdered sugar icing. Makes 24 rolls.