Grandma's Dinner Rolls

This is a picture of my grand-parent's on their wedding day.  My grandma L. was so accomplished at many things, but I especially remember her cooking.  Her recipe for dinner rolls is an easy to make favorite around our house.  Making those rolls also brings to mind my mom, who certainly learned from my grandma how to cook and bake-she is just as fantastic and I aspire to be as good as both these woman.

Elsie's Dinner Rolls

2 pkgs. yeast (not rapid rising)
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shortening
3 eggs, beaten
6-6 1/2 cups flour

 In medium saucepan, heat milk with shortening just till melted.  Remove from burner and let cool till lukewarm. (If you try to add the milk mixture when it is too warm you will kill your yeast.  Take it from a voice of experience!)

In a large bowl soften yeast in  cup of warm water. When bubbles form from yeast, add sugar, mix gently.  To this mixture add melted shortening/milk combination.  Add salt, and stir in about 1 1/2 cups flour, gradually adding rest of  flour till mixture forms a ball.  (You will most likely need the entire 6 cups flour; I like to add just enough till I have my ball formed to avoid too dry of a dough).  Turn dough* onto a clean surface and knead till dough is smooth and elastic.  Add small amounts of flour as needed.  Place dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise till doubled in size, about an hour to 1 1/2 hrs.

When dough has risen, punch down and shape rolls about the size of a plum, and place them in lightly greased pans, approximately 1/2" apart.  Let rise again till rolls have doubled in size.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes, or till lightly browned on top.  Serve warm.  Makes about 1 1/2 dozen rolls and freeze well.

     *My little tip for easier clean-up from that sticky dough is to spray your counter-top with a baking spray. You could also use an alternative such as coconut, vegetable, or olive oil for those who are opposed to use baking spray, but be sure with an olive oil it is one you would enjoy the taste in your rolls! :-)

Happy baking!