Homemade Hamburger Rolls

Submitted by Heather by Running To The Cross

Note: These are standard white flour rolls, they can be made with whole wheat flour, but are best with freshly milled whole wheat flour. When I use freshly milled flour, I add 2 T of wheat gluten to improve the texture...it is NOT necessary but optional.

My Basic Bread Recipe
2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons yeast
1/2 cup sugar (I use raw sugar)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup oil (I use canola)
5-6 cups bread flour (white, wheat OR a combination)
*optional 2 Tablespoons wheat gluten

FOR ALL WHEAT FLOURInstructions: In large mixing bowl add first 5 ingredients & mix well. Let sit 5-10 minutes or until yeast is proofed and dissolved. Then add 4 cups of flour & mix with a hand mixer (or your Standing Kitchen Aide mixer). When the dough becomes a smooth batter begin adding more flour, a little at a time. By now you will have to mix with wooden spoon by hand (or you can continue to mix in your Kitchen Aide mixer adding 1/2 cup flour at a time). Eventually the dough will become somewhat stiff but pliable, you then turn it out onto a well floured surface and begin kneading it. You will keep adding flour until the dough is no longer sticky.Knead the dough into a soft smooth elastic ball. You can leave it on your flour surface and cover with a towel to let set for about an hour until it is double in size OR you can add a tablespoon of oil to the bowl that you mixed it up in and drop it in there covering the dough with the oil, then covering the bowl with a piece of waxed paper & a towel. Again let rise for about an hour or until double in size.

When your dough is ready, you can make it into loaves, rolls, cinnamon rolls, pizza crust, bread sticks, Stromboli or whatever you like. If you are not ready to do anything with the dough, punch it down & let it rise again. But in very warm weather, you must be careful. If your dough reaches temps higher than 80* F, it will not perform to your satisfaction.This recipe will make 2 Large loaves of bread or 3 small loaves, several rolls, 3 pizza crusts or Strombolis, etc.

Directions for making Hamburger Rolls:Divide your dough into two equal sections, lay one aside. Then get out your rolling pin and roll out your dough on a well floured surface until it is about 1/2 -3/4 inch thick. Then take your good old biscuit cutter and cut into circles! Place rolls on lightly sprayed cookie sheet about 1-2 inches apart. Let rise until double (30 minutes -1 hour). Bake in a preheated 350* oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. When they are done, you can lightly butter tops, but this is just optional. Once they are cool, slice in half for a delicious hamburger or deli sandwich.