When we baked yesterday on New Year’s Day, we used a modified version of a basic sweet dough.  For a little more practice and because they taste so good, let’s use that dough again to make Crescent Rolls.  This time, just the basic version is all we need.

Crescent Rolls

 

Author: Dennis Killebrew

Cuisine: American

Prep time:  20 mins

Cook time:  20 mins

Total time:  40 mins

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Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• ¾ Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Milk or Half and Half
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 3½ Cups All-Purpose Unbleached Flour
• 2 Teaspoons Yeast
• 1 Egg

Instructions

1. Put butter in a 2 cup measure and microwave on high for 40 seconds or until butter is just melted. Add the sugar, salt and milk to the measure and stir. The butter is going to solidify, no worries. Return the measure to the microwave and heat on 100% for 30 seconds. The temperature should be a little warm, but not hot; the butter should be melting a little again. Make sure the temperature is below 120 degrees if you think the cup feels hot. Stir well.
2. Measure the flour into a large mixing bowl, add the yeast, and stir well. Make an indentation in the middle of the dry mixture for the liquid; pour it in. Put an egg in your measure and beat with a fork; add to liquid in the flour.
3. Using a large spoon, stir, turn and poke mixture until the liquid is incorporated and the dough begins to form. Turn the dough out onto a clean counter; dust with a little flour if too sticky to handle; repeat dusting as necessary, but add as little additional flour as possible ... we want a soft dough. Knead for 4 minutes and form into a ball.
4. Oil your bowl with cooking spray and place the dough in it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then a hand towel and allow to rise for 50 minutes.
5. Remove dough to countertop and knead for 1 minute. Flatten with your hands a bit, cover and let rest for 8 minutes. Use a rolling pin and roll and shape the dough into a 10" x 15" rectangle. Cut triangles into the dough using a knife; see diagram below.
6. Carefully roll up one triangle at a time beginning at the large side. Place rolls on an ungreased pan, cover with a towel for 20 minutes. Then bake in a 350 degree oven until golden; about 20 minutes, but they are done when browned.

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