Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls

Years ago I made the mistake of making homemade dinner rolls for Thanksgiving.   Ever since my children say it isn't the holiday's without them.   A lot of people don't understand until they get to taste one.  

Dinner Rolls

2 pkgs. yeast or 5 tsp yeast
1c. plus 2Tbsp sugar
1 1/2c warm water.  about 100 to 110 degrees.  you don't want it hot,  it will kill the yeast.
1c. milk
1/2c. butter
2 eggs
2tsp salt
8 1/2 to 9 c all purpose flour or bread flour or a combination of whole wheat flour and all purpose or bread.  Use a little more all purpose or bread than wheat because the wheat flour will make the rolls heavy.

In a big bowl dissolve yeast in 1/2 c. warm water and add the 2tbsp sugar,  let sit for about 5 minutes until you see the yeast start to grow.   While the yeast is proofing, melt your butter into the milk.  I use the microwave and do it for a minute at a time in a glass measuring cup.  Make sure the milk doesn't get to hot.  you can also do this in a pan on the stove.   Beat the eggs in a bowl and add the salt.  When the yeast is bubbling then add the 1c. sugar, the milk, butter mixture slowly,  then add the warm water and the eggs and salt.  Stir well and then add 3 cups of the flour and mix adding 1 c of flour at a time mixing after each addition.  When a soft dough forms dust your counter with flour and put dough in the middle,  add more flour to the top and start kneading for 5 to 10 minutes until the dough is firm and elastic.   Grease a bowl with oil and place dough in it.  Rolling it around to coat entire surface with the oil.  cover with either plastic wrap or a clean dish towel and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.   Punch dough down and pull out into a floured surface.   cut into 3 equal parts and working with one at a time,  roll into a circle until about 10 to 12 inches in diameter and then using a pizza cutter cut into 8  equal pieces,  roll into crescent shapes and place on a greased pan,  repeat with other dough and again allow to rise for 45 minutes to an hour until doubled in size.  make sure when you are placing them on the pans that you give them room to double.   Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.  

These rolls are a lot of work,  but the taste is amazing and since I got my KitchenAid mixer it does most of the work for me.   I was never taught how to make yeast breads..  it was something that I researched for a while and taught myself how.  I love it,  the smell and end product when it comes out the way you envision.  :)   I will be posting pics of everything on Thanksgiving!!! 

I am including a website with a step by step method with pics for bread making for those of you who aren't familiar with the process..
http://baking.about.com/library/weekly/aa020100.htm
You can also do your own research on bread baking..  and I hope it if is something that intrigues you that you try it.