I have always despaired of being able to make really good bread and rolls from scratch. I did manage to do a really easy loaf not to long ago, that was very rustic and that didn't require much in the way of effort and it was really good . . . but my heart has always longed to be able to make really good bread and rolls. My ex husband was the bread baker in our family, and he made beautiful bread. I am sure it was down to his power and strength when it came to kneading. His bread always turned out beautifully light and fluffy. I have despaired of being able to do that for years . . . trying and trying, but only ever with very few exceptions, turning out much more than yeasted door stops.
Recently I won a recipe contest on Gourmandize UK and Ireland and this was my prize! I was so excited when there was a knock on our door last evening and there was the delivery man with my new Kenwood Stand Mixer! I have always wanted a stand mixer . . . my whole cooking life, and that is a very long time. My mother had a stand mixer and it was a dream of mine to one day have one too. You can imagine how excited I was to win this. It may not be a candy apple red kitchen aid, but I don't care. This is real and it's mine, all mine!
It came with a blender attachement, a juicer, a food processor, a paddle hook, a whisk and yipee!! A dough hook, which I was THE most excited about of all. I would now be able to knead bread easily and hopefully with success! No surpise that the very first thing I decided to do with it was to make some fluffy yeasted rolls!
The machine did it's job beautifully! Could it be possible that I might actually have a yeast roll success story here???? Well, they say a picture tells a thousand words and I am happy to say that success in this house today smelled like buttery freshly baked yeasted rolls that rose beautifully and came out of the oven looking like the winners that they truly were!
Soft and fluffy, with a golden brown crust and a lovely light crumb. I don't know what I am more excited about today . . . my prize or the success I had with these lovely rolls! (adapted from a recipe on the King Arthurs Flour page) I am so impressed with my results!
Don't they look absolutely perfect to you??? They do to me and what's more, they ARE perfect. I will make these again and again and I have my new little silver Kenwood Stand Mixer to thank for it, oh . . . and the Gourmandize people too! ☺
*Old Fashioned Pull-Aparts*
Makes 16 buns Printable Recipe
Soft and fluffy inside with a golden crust. In short, the perfect dinner roll.
3 1/2 cups strong bread flour (490g)2 tsp active dried yeast3 TBS dry milk powder2 TBS sugar1 1/2tsp salt4 TBS softened butter2/3 cup of lukewarm water (156ml)1/2 cup lukewarm milk (18ml)melted butter to brush on top
Stir together all of the dry ingredients in a bowl. Drop in the butter and the water and milk. Stir together until you have a soft dough. Knead, using your hands or a stand mixer, or a bread machine set on the dough cycle, until you have a soft, smooth dough. Place into an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and set aside in a warm place to rise for at least an hour, until double in bulk. Punch the dough down gently and then transfer to a lightly floured work surface.
Divide the dough by cutting in half and then dividing again and again until you have 16 equally sized pieces. Shape each into a round smooth ball.Lightly butter a 9 by 15 inch pan,or two round 8 or 9 inch cake tins. Arrange the balls in the long tin, or place 8 into each of the smaller round tins. Cover again and set in a warm place to rise for at least another hour, until they are crowded against each other and quite puffed. Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4.
Uncover the buns and bake for 22 to 24 minutes, until golden brown on top and the edges of the center bun spring back when lightly touched. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter. Serve warm.
I have never ever been able to resist a freshly baked bun spread with cold butter. Can you?? These were just like what my mama used to make. Call me one very happy camper!