SIMPLE, NO-FAIL HOMEMADE CRESCENT ROLLS

There are plenty of times that I pull store bought rolls out of the freezer to use for dinner, but there's still nothing quite like homemade bread!  Today I'm sharing my favorite homemade crescent rolls recipe with you.  I make these for many of our family gatherings and when we have company, and even keep a supply of frozen ones to use for everyday dinners.  I clipped the recipe out of the newspaper years ago (pre-Pinterest!) and it truly is a no-fail, tried and true winner!

Ingredients:

1 cup milk (can use whole or 2%)
2 packages yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup melted and cooled shortening
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
4 cups flour
Melted butter (4 Tablespoons + a little more for brushing on after baking)
Coarse salt (optional)

This recipe will make about 16-24 rolls, depending on how big you make them.  I almost always double the recipe (I did for these photos) and it's just the right size for my mixer.


Steps:

1.  Heat milk to lukewarm (110 degrees).  Add yeast and let stand 5 minutes.  Add salt, shortening, sugar, and eggs then mix well (I use my dough hook with the mixer).  Mix in flour in small portions.  When finished, the dough should be soft (it won't form a ball) and will be a touch sticky. Here's what it looks like at this point-

2.  Set the dough in a warm place, lightly covered, and let it rise until double in size.  This will take a few hours.

Whoa!

3.  Prepare to roll the dough out by gathering all supplies.  I hate to have dough covered hands and realize I forgot to get out something I'll need!  You'll need flour for dusting the counter, a rolling pin, melted butter, a pastry brush, and something to cut the dough like a pizza cutter, as well as greased baking sheets or pans to put the rolls in.

Divide the dough into 2 parts.  (This will make 16 large, thick rolls.  If you want to stretch the recipe a bit, divide the dough into 3 parts and it will make 24 rolls.)  Sprinkle flour on your surface and a little on top of the dough, flour your hands and rolling pin.  Roll each piece into a flat circle, about 12-14 inches across and maybe about 1/4 inch thick.  (If you divided into 3 parts your circle might be a little smaller and dough a little thinner.)

4.  Brush the circle of dough with melted butter,

then cut into 8 triangles.  A pizza cutter makes this step a breeze!

5.  Roll each piece starting with the long side, wrapping the point across the top when you're finished.  Bend rolls slightly into a curve.

At this point you have a few options:

For cooking rolls the same day-
Line them in a greased baking dish or sheet pan leaving some space in between.  Allow them to rise until about double in size, which might take an hour or two.

For making the rolls ahead of time- 
I like to lay them out on greased baking sheets and flash freeze them, then store them in a ziplock bag until needed.  Or, if I'm making them a few days before an event, I go ahead a put them in greased aluminum pans then cover tightly with foil, then store them in the freezer.  Remove from the freezer and allow them to thaw and then rise to about double the size before baking, this will probably take 3-4 hours.  You could also start this step the night before by placing frozen rolls in the refrigerator if needed, then allow them to rise in a warm spot the next day.

6.  Bake them!  Brush the tops with more melted butter, and I like to sprinkle a bit of course salt on the tops but that's optional.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes (depending on the size you made, the larger rolls will take a bit longer) until tops are golden brown and centers are not doughy.  Towards the end of the cooking time, cover lightly with a sheet of foil if they are getting too brown.

They are soft and buttery as is, but would also be delicious with diced fresh rosemary sprinkled on top added to the butter and salt before baking.

SOURCES FOR ITEMS PICTURED: (affiliate links used)

Lemon Tablecloth  ||  Similar Chargers here or here  ||  Blue and White Dinner Plates  ||  Similar Green Salad Plates ||  Green Checkered Napkins  ||  Blue and White Ginger Jar  ||  Blue and White Bowl  ||  All Milkglass- thrifted  ||  Silverware- vintage
Green Mixer  ||  Similar Marble Rolling Pin  ||  Baking Sheet Pan

See more of my Easter Tablescape here!

Here are a few other of my favorite entertaining recipes, especially good for Easter-  I'd love to hear one of your favorites in the comments!

 Pink Lemonade Pie

Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans

Squash Casserole

Pink Cherry Pineapple Salad (aka Pink Stuff)

Lemon Squares

Triple Chocolate Pound Cake

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