Bread: Potato Dough Rolls

During the winter months I really like to test out soups and breads to dip into them. In my opinion, there's no better meal to cozy up to than soup and bread. I saw this recipe and thought the rolls looked a lot like the ones you have at Texas Roadhouse or O'Charlies so I had to test them out. I was impressed and so were all of the boys. We had to plop some of them into a plastic baggie and into the freezer right away so we didn't eat the whole tray over one meal!

Here's the recipe link from Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn. I used the potato flakes instead of the boiling potato water noted in the recipe. After the rolls came out of the oven I took melted butter and spread it all over them which was amazing.

Easy Potato Dough Rolls
about 15-20 rolls

1 cup boiling potato water OR 1 cup boiling water with 1 tablespoon potato flakes
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest (optional)
2 tablespoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 package dry yeast
2 eggs, beaten
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour
Milk, cream, or egg yolk, to glaze (optional)

Mix the boiling water, potato flakes (if using), 1/2 cup sugar, salt, butter and zest (if using) and let cool until tepid and just warm to the touch. In a small separate bowl mix the warm water, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and yeast and let sit for about 10 minutes or until foamy.

In a large bowl combine the potato water mixture and the yeast mixture. Add the eggs and 2 cups of the flour. Stir well, then beat in 2 more cups of flour. Beat well and don't knead - it will be very sticky. Cover and refrigerate, up to several days.

When you want to bake them, shape into balls and place side by side in a greased 9x13-inch pan. (If you are baking these immediately after making the dough, you may need to add 1/2 cup more flour to get the dough thick enough to handle. But don't add too much; the dough is extremely sticky and should be.) Coat hands lightly with flour to roll, or use a spoon to roll lumps of dough. Let rise covered until doubled. You may want to brush with milk or cream before baking, or a mixture of egg yolk and milk or water to create a shiny roll.

Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes, depending on size of rolls.

This recipe multiplies well; we usually triple it for holiday meals.