Refrigerator Roll Dough

[thkgranny]

This is a recipe I have used forever! Especially good for holidays as it can be made ahead.

Refrigerator Roll Dough
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 ½ c. hot water
1 c. leftover unseasoned mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes prepared to = 1 c.
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. shortening (do not use oil)
2 eggs
1 ½ t. salt
6 to 7 c. all-purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in potatoes, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt, and 3 c. of the flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic; about 5 minutes. Place in large greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover bowl tightly; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 5 days.
Punch down dough; divide into 4 equal parts. Use ¼ of dough for any Dinner roll recipes below unless otherwise noted.

Options:
·Bran Refrigerator Roll Dough: increase water to 2 cups; pour ½ cup of the water over ¾ c whole bran cereal. Let stand 1 minute; stir in with remaining water.
·Whole Wheat Refrigerator Roll Dough: substitute 3 to 4 c. whole wheat flour for the second addition of all-purpose flour.

DINNER ROLLS
Brown-and-Serve Rolls: shape dough as directed in any recipe below. Let rise 1 hour. Heat oven to 275°. Bake 20 minutes (do not brown). Remove from pans, cool to room temperature. Wrap in aluminum foil and store in refrigerator no longer than 8 days or freeze no longer than 2 months. At serving time, pre-heat oven to 400°, bake until brown, 8 to 12 minutes.

Casseroles: shape ¼ of dough into 1-inch balls. Place in lightly greased round layer pan, 9 X 1 ½ inches. Brush with softened margarine, let rise 1 hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 minutes until golden brown. 3 dozen rolls.

Cloverleaf Rolls: shape ¼ of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 3 balls in each greased muffin cup. Brush with softened margarine, let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown. 1 dozen rolls.

Crescent Rolls: roll ¼ of dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Lightly spread with softened margarine. Cut into 16 wedges. Roll up tightly beginning at rounded edges, stretching dough as it is rolled. Place rolls with points underneath on a greased cookie sheet, curving slightly. Let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 minutes until golden brown. 16 rolls.

Fan Tans: roll ¼ of dough into a 13X9 inch rectangle on a well-floured surface. Spread with softened margarine. Cut lengthwise into 6 strips, each about 1 ½ inches wide. Stack strips evenly; cut into 12 pieces, each about an inch wide. Place cut sides down in greased muffin cups. Brush with softened margarine. Let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown.
1 dozen rolls.

Four-Leaf Clovers: shape ¼ of dough into 2-inch balls. Place each ball into a greased muffin cup. With scissors, snip each ball completely into halves, then into quarters. Brush with softened margarine. Let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown. 1 dozen rolls.

Pan Biscuits: use half of dough recipe. Roll dough into 13X9 rectangle on a well-floured surface. Place in greased, oblong pan (13X9X2). Cut dough into rectangles, each about 3X2 ½ inches. Brush with softened margarine. Let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 25 minutes until golden brown. 15 rolls.

Parker House Rolls: roll ¼ of dough into a 12X9 rectangle on a well-floured surface. Cut into 3-inch circles with a floured cutter. Brush with softened margarine. Make a crease across each circle; fold so top half slightly overlaps bottom half. Press edges together. Place close to each other in a greased square 9X9X2 pan. Brush with softened margarine. Let rise one hour. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown. 1 dozen rolls.

Leftover Turnovers: prepare ¼ dough as if for Parkerhouse Rolls. After cutting into 3-inch circles, roll out to 4-5 inch circles. Make crease, fill bottom half with 2-3 tbsp. of leftovers. Fold over and press edges together. Let rise 30 minutes. Heat oven to 400° and bake about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown.


Microwave Reheat Directions
Room Temperature Frozen
1 roll 10-15 seconds 20-25 seconds
2 rolls 15-20 seconds 25-30 seconds
4 rolls 25-30 seconds 35-40 seconds
NOTE: breads should be reheated uncovered on absorbent paper (paper towels, napkins)

Source:
The Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1980, General Mills, Inc., page 212.