This recipe produces a light and airy slightly-sweet dinner roll you can mix up in your bread machine. Shape by hand and bake in your conventional oven for the best of both worlds.
Place 1 cup milk, cool, 1 large egg, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon table or sea salt, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, finely chopped, 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons bread-machine or instant yeast into your bread machine pan in the order listed. Select the DOUGH cycle and press START.
Check the dough at least twice during the mixing and kneading phase by lifting the lid to take a peek. The first time, look immediately after the machine starts mixing to ensure the paddles are engaged correctly. The dough should start to form a ball. Look again 10-15 minutes into the DOUGH cycle to assess the consistency of the dough. For most recipes, the dough should stick to the side, then pull away cleanly.If your dough is too wet, add flour one tablespoon at a time.Conversely, if the dough is too dry, add one tablespoon of liquid at a time until the dough looks just right. Read more about this surprising secret to success with a bread machine here.
When the dough cycle finishes, the dough should be doubled in size. If not, leave the dough in the bread machine a few more minutes until you can punch two fingers into the dough and it fills in gradually. If it doesn't fill in, it has risen too much. If the dough bounces right back and the dough fills in immediately, then it needs to proof (rise) a little bit longer. (This may happen if your kitchen is cold.)
Pull dough out of the machine and onto a floured surface. Lightly knead the dough to remove any large bubbles, and form it into one large ball. Divide in half, making 2 balls. Divide each of those balls into 8 equally-sized lumps.
Make a ball from each piece of dough by pulling the dough toward the bottom while turning the dough (see video) or use whatever method works best for you.
Arrange balls into 2 well-greased 8 or 9-inch round or square pans (non-stick is better) and cover with a tea towel or a cheap shower cap. Place in a warm spot until almost doubled. (I put mine in the microwave where I have already boiled a cup of water for 5 minutes to make it warm and steamy.)
Heat your conventional oven to 350 °F (180˚C).
Bake in the oven until golden brown, usually about 12-15 minutes. Rotate to get even browning. The internal temperature should reach 190˚F (88˚C).
Within 5-10 minutes, dump baked rolls out of the pan and let cool on a rack or paper plate so they won’t get soggy from the steam they produce. Brush with melted butter if desired.
Notes
Directions for making bread with a stand mixer or by hand:
To make this recipe in a heavy-duty stand mixer: Add ingredients to the bowl in the same order. Turn on LOW to mix until all ingredients are moistened. Then, using a dough hook, turn the speed to 2 or 3. Continue beating/kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes). Cover and allow to rise in a warm place. Deflate dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
If making by hand: Combine all ingredients into a shaggy ball in a large bowl. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead with your hands until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading will likely take 10-20 minutes, depending on your experience. Place the dough ball into a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise until double. Deflate the dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
Please note: If you only have active dry yeast, use 1/4 teaspoon more than called for in the recipe. It no longer needs to be dissolved first, but you can if you prefer.