Italian-style Rolls

Total Time: 2 hrs 22 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 22 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water, divided
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons yeast
• 3 1/2 cups flour (might need more)
• 1 teaspoon salt (can use 1-1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (can use 3 tablespoons)

Recipe

• 1 place the kneader attachment onto the stand mixer.
• 2 proof the yeast with 1 teaspoon sugar in 3/4 cup water for 10 minutes or until foamy.
• 3 in the stainless steel mixing bowl place 3-1/2 cups flour, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar and melted butter.
• 4 when the yeast has proofed add to the bowl along with 3/4 cup warm water.
• 5 start kneading adding in more flour only if needed (total kneading time should take about 8 minutes) do not add in too much flour or the buns will be heavy, when finished kneading the dough should feel soft but semi-sticky and smooth and should stick to your hands only slightly when removing from the bowl.
• 6 remove the dough to a very lightly flour-dusted surface; cover with clean tea towel and let rest 5 minutes.
• 7 shape into a ball (the dough will come together nicely after resting).
• 8 place into a large greased deep glass bowl.
• 9 cover and let rise for about 60-90 minutes.
• 10 to check if the dough is ready to be punched down, very gently stick two fingers about 1/2-inch into the dough, the dough is ready when the finger marks remain.
• 11 punch down dough and slice in half.
• 12 slice each half into 4 even pieces.
• 13 shape each piece into a round ball.
• 14 place balls spacing well apart onto a 10 x 15-inch greased baking sheet (2 balls across and 4 balls down).
• 15 cover and let rise 30-40 minutes.
• 16 bake at 375 for about 22 minutes or until light golden brown.