This is a Gr8 recipe for a crowd because it makes 48 rolls and you can do the first rise and form them into rolls the day before baking!
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Rising Time2 hourshrs
Total Time2 hourshrs55 minutesmins
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas dinner, Dinner Rolls for a Crowd, holiday menu, Thanksgiving
Servings: 48rolls
Author: Anna
Ingredients
6 cupsall-purpose flour, divided use
2packsactive dry yeast
4Tablespoonsgranulated sugar
1 ½teaspoons salt
½cupunsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½cupshot water, not boiling
2eggs, at room temperature
2 to 3teaspoonsvegetable oil, for brushing on top
Finishing salt, such as Maldon Sea Salt
Optional Toppings
Poppy Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Everything Topping!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Measure 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt into the bowl of your electric mixer. With the paddle attachment turn to lowest speed to blend.
Add the butter and hot water (water should be between 105°F and 110°F for the yeast to proof properly). Mix with your mixer on medium-low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl.
Add eggs and 2 cups flour and beat at medium-high speed for a minute.
With the mixer on low speed stir in flour ¼ cup at a time until dough begins to form a balll. It will still be sticky. You may not use all the flour, depending on the humidity in the air, the flour you use, and other factors.
Remove the paddle attachment, scraping off the excess dough. Add the dough hook.
Turn the mixer to medium-high and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 3 to 6 minutes.
Dump the dough onto a floured surface and knead by hand a couple more turns then form the dough into a ball.
First Rise:
Rub the inside of a medium sized bowl with a thin coating of oil, add the dough and turn over so the dough is covered with oil.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft free area for 45 minutes to an hour, until doubled in size.
Lightly punch down the dough.
Second Rise:
Butter two 9" x 13" baking pans.
Form the dough into small, smooth balls and place close to each other in the pans, not quite touching. You should have 24 in each pan, 4 across the width and 6 down the length of the pan. Check out this video to form the balls.
Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the oil over the top of the rolls.
Cover pans with plastic wrap.
Let rise for another 45 minutes to one hour OR refrigerate for up to one day.
To Bake:
Preheat oven to 375°F and place rack in lower third of your oven for best results.
If rolls have been refrigerated, remove, uncover, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. (Pop any surface bubbles with a toothpick.)
Sprinkle finishing salt on top of the rolls, as much or as little as you prefer. Since this dough has a good amount of sugar, the salt adds a nice counterpoint.
Bake for 15 to 25 minutes until golden brown. The rolls should have a "hollow" sound when tapped on top.
Brush with melted butter while warm if you want to add an extra level of shininess and decadence!
Remove from pan immediately and cool on rack. Or serve warm!
Notes
Gr8 Do Ahead Tip:
This is a Gr8 recipe for any large gathering or holiday party since the dough can be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.