Bread is the source of much discussion in our family. There’s cornbread, biscuits, pie crusts
homemade bread rolls (Photo credit: noii’s)
dumplings, and , of course yeast rolls. I’m not gonna lie. These suckers take time and skill. I have made them, but these days reach for the frozen dough pieces out of the freezer department at my local Kroger. Since so many women have taken the time to search high and low for a tasty recipe, I’m including it. Just don’t ask me to make them for you. I seem to burn rolls in my house. I remember once when I burned them, Grandaddy, God bless his soul, said he liked his bread a little burned! If you prefer your rolls a little less well done, you might want to try my Momma’s rolls. She seems to be in her happy place with yeast proofing in her kitchen!
My Granny gave credit for this recipe to her mother in law, Willie Vincent, aka Big Mama. Grandaddy always said, Big Mama taught Granny how to cook. As she lived with her in-laws while he was away at “The War”, I guess he’s right. What a treat to be welcomed into Big Mama’s kitchen and her heart!
Old Fashioned Hot Rolls In memory of Willie Vincent and Millie Vincent
8 cups sifted plain flour
2 1/2 cups water
2 packages yeast
3 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 eggs, well beaten
1/4 cup warm (not hot) water to dissolve yeast
Sprinkle yeast over 1/4 cup warm water. Let this “proof”. It should begin to bubble and smell yeasty in a few minutes.
Bring water to boil, add shortening , sugar, and salt. Remove from heat and let cook to luke warm( 85 degrees). Put into large mixing bowl, add eggs, yeast mixture, and 4 cups of sifted flour. Mix with dough beaters or mixer until flour is dissolved real well. Add rest of flour gradually. Mix well. Place in a large bowl (well-greased with oil). Oil top, cover and let rise in refrigerator overnight. Knead on floured surface until smooth. (This step is very important. You just keep flouring your hands and sprinkling the dough with flour to prevent sticking while kneading.) Make out small rolls, let rise in warm place 2-3 hours . Bake at 400 degrees until brown. Serve hot with butter.
