Grandma Nola's Rolls

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My mom could make rolls that drew crowds. Her grandchildren would beg for them. Thanksgiving just wasn't the same without them. I am not sure where she got this recipe--the only copies I have are in her handwriting so the only source I can site here is Nola. The photo above is a recent attempt to recreate Grandma's rolls-they turned out pretty good but alas, not quite like hers. 

Nola's Dinner Rolls

1/3 cup warm water

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons yeast

Mix and let yeast work.

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

Combine in a large mixing bowl. Then add the yeast mixture.

2 cups warm milk

1/4 cup melted shortening

Stir into egg and yeast mixture.

6 cups flour, added 2 cups at a time.

Knead until smooth and elastic.

Put dough into a large bowl and cover. Allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead a couple of minutes. Cut in half. Roll one portion into a circle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut out smaller circles with a glass or other cutter. With a table knife, crease each roll through the center then butter one half of each circle. Fold over along crease, butter side in and place on a greased baking sheet. With thumb and index finger, press firmly on front and back of roll to pinch edges together. Repeat with the other half of dough and then using the cutting scraps for a final roll out. Let rise 20 to 30 minutes and then bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Hints: Mom used all-purpose flour and I used bread flour. I think that makes a difference and I prefer her choice. Mom would use this same dough for cinnamon rolls by rolling out the dough and spreading it with soft butter or margarine, sprinkling white sugar and cinnamon on top, adding raisins and chopped walnuts or pecans then rolling into a log. She would slice this 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide and place on a greased cookie sheet, baking the same way as the dinner rolls. Then allow them to cool and ice with vanilla frosting. Pretty wonderful! 

Thanks again Mom for all the wonderful meals and the love that accompanied them. I wonder what my family will beg me to make? And it better not be reservations!