Elsie'S Dinner Rolls

Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 12 Cuisine: American

Elsie's Dinner Rolls are soft, buttery, and fluffy with a slightly sweet flavor, perfect for family dinners, holidays, or as a comforting snack.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 packages yeast
  • 1 cup lukewarm milk
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 7 cups flour

Instructions

  1. Mix together warm water and yeast.
  2. Add lukewarm milk, shortening, sugar, salt, and beaten eggs; knead the dough until smooth.
  3. Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
  4. Butter your hands and shape the dough into rolls; place them in a buttered pan.
  5. Let the rolls rise again until nearly doubled.
  6. Bake at 325°F until golden brown.

Tips & Substitutions

To achieve the best texture in Elsie's Dinner Rolls, ensure your water is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast. If you don't have shortening, you can substitute with unsalted butter or vegetable oil. For added flavor, consider mixing in herbs or garlic powder. Always knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic for the best rise. If you're short on time, you can also use instant yeast for a quicker process.

Serving Suggestions

Elsie's Dinner Rolls are perfect for holiday meals or as a side with soups and salads. Try serving them alongside a flavorful stew or with butter and jam as a delightful snack. They also pair beautifully with Bisquick 'Corny' Bread Sticks for a comforting meal. For a complete dinner, consider serving them with a fresh salad and a hearty main course.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave individually for about 15-20 seconds until warm.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Elsie'S Dinner Rolls contains roughly 467 calories, with 3g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 680mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).

467 kcal 23% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 3.5g 7% DV
Total Fat 35.7g 46% DV
Carbs 35g 13% DV
Fiber 1.2g 4% DV
Sugar 3.9g 8% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 680.4mg 30% DV
Potassium 198.1mg 4% DV
Cholesterol 52.1mg 17% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 28.3mcg 3% DV
Vitamin C 8.6mg 10% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg 1% DV
Calcium 87.7mg 7% DV
Iron 1.5mg 8% DV
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After kneading, let it rise until doubled, then punch it down and cover it tightly. Refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, let it come to room temperature, shape it into rolls, and allow them to rise again before baking.

What can I do if my rolls don't rise?

If your rolls don't rise, it may be due to inactive yeast. Ensure your yeast is fresh by testing it in warm water with a bit of sugar before adding it to the recipe. Also, make sure your dough is in a warm, draft-free area while rising, as cooler temperatures can slow down the yeast activity.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for up to half of the all-purpose flour in this recipe. Keep in mind that using more whole wheat flour may result in denser rolls, so you might need to increase the liquid slightly to achieve the right dough consistency.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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