Karisa's Dinner Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, Donuts, or Monkey Bread!

Karisa's Dinner Rolls or Cinnamon Rolls

Start these about 5 hours before you need them done.  In a large glass mixing bowl sprinkle one package (2 ¼ tsp) of yeast ONTO 2 cups warm water.  Let sit 5 minutes, then stir to dissolve.  While you wait the 5 minutes in a smaller bowl combine:

½ c. melted butter

½ c. sugar

2 tsp salt

2 eggs, lightly beaten (add last so the melted butter cools down enough and doesn't cook them)

Now add all this to the large bowl with the yeast and water mixture.  Add 5 ½ cups of flour saving the last ½ c. out to make sure it's not too dry before you add it, and mix just until combined.  Cover bowl with clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours.  It should double in size.  It rises quicker the warmer it is. 

Now get a clean rolling surface and lots of flour for the dough not to stick, and a bowl with ½ c. melted butter.  Punch down dough and scoop out onto a well floured board or counter and knead slightly to pat and roll out about ½ inch thick. 

*Cut with round canning jar lid.  Dip into the melted butter to coat and fold in half and pinch shut.  Line a regular size cookie sheet with butter and place rolls in it not quite touching.

Cover with towel again and let rise until rolls touch the towel or for about another hour. 

Heat oven to 375 and bake for 15-20 minutes.  Makes 24-30 rolls. *Or shape into crescent rolls as pictured, or any way you like.

*If making cinnamon rolls, roll dough out about ½ inch thick, and then cover with the melted butter and lots of sugar and cinnamon.  Roll up into a log, and then slice into 1 inch pieces.  Place barely touching in greased 9x13 pan, and let rise and bake the same.  When out of the oven, drizzle frosting made of powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, butter, and thinned with water over the top until well covered.  Delicious!

*If making donuts, after second rising, punch down dough and quickly fold in to form a ball. Break off golf ball size pieces and in your hands roll into a small ball, poke your finger through, and spin on your finger until a large hole opens up (bigger than a quarter). Flatten ring as needed to make it even, but don't overwork the dough. Place raw donut into hot oil with a slotted spoon. Donuts will float and begin to puff up and brown. When lightly browned on one side, turn over to cook the other side. (this is probably over medium heat and takes some time to learn how to cook them just right. If they brown too fast, they'll be raw inside. If they don't brown too fast they'll become oil saturated and won't crisp up on the outsides.)  Remove onto a paper towel lined plate. When cool enough to handle, dip tops in frosting. 

*If making monkey bread, dip chunks of dough into melted butter and then roll in cinnamon-sugar and fill a greased Bundt pan 1/2 to 3/4 high. Bake at 350 for about 1/2 hour.

This can also be braided, and sprinkled on top with cinnamon sugar and slivered almonds before going into the oven. This is a nice gift.