As a little girl, I spent several weeks in the hospital due to a variety of health problems (severe asthma being the easiest explanation). Like most children, I’ve forgotten any pain or fear associated with my stays. Instead, I remember popsicles, wheel-chair rides, and bags full of warm, fluffy rolls. My grandmother knew what would make me happier than anything else, and when she came to visit, she brought a dozen rolls with her.
These potato rolls are almost as good as the ones I remember. (But I imagine no roll will live up to the ones my grandmother brought me). Thanksgiving is coming, and these would be the perfect addition to your table. They are soft. They are fluffy. They are hard to resist. Ryan and I start with two…and we often end up eating at least four. And have I told you that midnight nursing often leads to midnight snacking? These rolls with peanut butter and honey are PERFECTION.
And why not? Another Lucy picture to start your week.
Very Best Potato Rolls
1 cup mashed potatoes
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup scalded milk (cooled to lukewarm)
5 to 6 cups bread
1 packet dry active yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
Dissolve yeast in the lukewarm water and set aside for five minutes.
In bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment, mix together mashed potatoes, butter, eggs, sugar, honey and salt for several minutes.
Add yeast mixture and scalded milk to the potato mixture and mix until blended. Gradually add bread flour one cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
Using your machine’s dough hook, knead for 5 minutes at low speed. Alternately, knead dough on a lightly floured counter.
Place kneaded dough in lightly oiled bowl. Allow to rise for one to two hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch down dough and shape into rolls. Place rolls about 1 1/2 inches apart on two parchment paper lined baking sheets. Cover with slightly damp kitchen towels and allow to rise until doubled, about another 30-60 minutes. Bake in a preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for approximately 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
