What is Thanksgiving without homemade rolls? This recipe is from our family cookbook that my aunt put together for everyone many, many years ago. We are actually on our second edition and I use both cookbooks in my kitchen all of the time. It’s great to have all my favorite family recipes in one place. This recipe for sweet rolls is really special to me and M, it is our Grandma’s recipe for rolls that she made for Thanksgiving each year. We lost our grandma a few years ago, but we still have her recipes and family tradition that lives on.
These rolls not only have a place in our heart, but they are really tasty! Their sweet taste goes perfectly with a small amount of butter and of course a thanksgiving dinner. Make these rolls for your holiday meal this year!
These rolls can be frozen or the dough can be made the day before and then rolled and baked an hour before dinner (if you have extra oven space.) I made these rolls over the weekend and froze them for my work Thanksgiving lunch Friday. We are all about making things ahead here around here! In the past when I was only cooking for four people, I cut the recipe in half and it turned out great.
The rolls rising for 30 minutes before baking (plus my mixer in the background, isn’t she so pretty?)
Mmmm rolls…..
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup boiling water
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 4½ tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 cup luke warm water
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 cups flour
- 2 tsp. salt
- Combine butter and 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until butter is melted.
- In the bowl of your mixer with paddle attachment add ⅓ cup of sugar, yeast, and 1 cup luke warm water. Combine on low.
- Once the butter reaches room temperature, add into yeast mixture and mix until combined.
- Add in eggs and another ⅓ cup of sugar, mix well.
- Next add in flour and salt. Combine completely.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. If leaving overnight, punch the dough down before you go to bed so it doesn’t overflow in your fridge.
- One hour before dinner, turn dough out on a floured surface. The dough will be sticky so make sure your hands and surface are well floured.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Form dough 30-36 rolls evenly sized. Place rolls 1-inch apart on a silicone mat lined baking sheet, you may need 2 baking sheets.
- Allow to rise for 30 minutes, then bake for 10-12 minutes. For best results cook each baking sheets one at a time.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container once cooled. Rolls can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Source- Adapted from Grandma H’s original recipe