Memaw's Rolls

For as long as I can remember my maternal grandmother ("Memaw") has made the BEST pies and rolls!  Her most requested pies are pecan and chocolate (with homemade crust and perfect meringue, of course). 

My mom actually discovered the roll recipe in her high school Home Economics class.  With her special touch and lots of experience Memaw became the pro!  Growing up the whole family looked forward to them at all holidays and gatherings.  Several aunts and cousins have attempted and I figured it was my turn!  I decided they would serve as one of my contributions to Easter lunch this year. 

Here is the recipe with ingredients listed in bold:

Dilute one pkg of yeast in1/2 cup of warm water.  Set aside. 

Mix in a separate bowl: 1 egg slightly beaten, 1/2 cup shortening or butter, 1/3 cup sugar.

To the egg mixture, add 1/2 cup very hot water.  Careful with hot water.  (Boil 1/2 c water in a pan, remove it, count to ten, then slowly add hot water to mixture while carefully stirring--be careful w sudden temperature change in glass bowls and avoid splashing).  Immediately after blending hot water, add 1/2 cup cold water and yeast mixture. Mix well.

To this mixture, add 4 1/2 cups of flour and 2 tsp of salt.  Here is where more flour may be needed depending on the weather.  Flour hands and kneading surface.  When mixture holds together, knead gently until it's not sticky, but too much additonal flour can make it heavy.  Experience makes perfect!!

Allow mixture to rise one hour before making into balls for baking at preheated 350 degrees until brown.  Mom and I have always made it ahead of time, placed it in refrigerator to rise overnight covered w plastic wrap.  Three hours before serving, flour hands and gently pull a piece of dough from risen ball, keeping flour handy if dough gets sticky.  Make balls a little larger than golf balls, place on greased baking sheet, cover, and allow to rise 3 hours on or around warm kitchen.  You may also make three smaller rolls and place in greased mufin tins for a Parker House type roll.  Also makes breakfast cinnamon rolls but need to rise 3 hours before baking.