Old-Fashioned Soft and Buttery Yeast Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 package active dry yeast (equals 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/3 cup white, granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup hot milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing rolls)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle yeast over very warm water in a large bowl. Stir until the yeast dissolves. Let it foam for about 10 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, add sugar, the 1/4 cup butter, and salt to hot milk. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the butter is melted. Cool the mixture to 105 to 115 degrees.
3. Add the milk mixture to the yeast and then mix in the beaten egg. Beat in 4 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. Use some of the remaining 1/2 cup flour to dust a pastry cloth.
4. Lightly knead the dough for 5 minutes. Use the remaining flour for flouring the pastry cloth and your hands.
5. Place the dough in a warm, buttered bowl; turn the greased side up. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
6. Punch the dough down and knead for 4 to 5 minutes on a lightly floured pastry cloth. The dough will be sticky, but use as little flour as possible for flouring hands.
7. With a large knife, cut the dough ball into four pieces. Cut each piece into four more pieces OR simply pinch off small chunks of dough and roll into round balls about 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Shape each roll by pulling the sides down and under. Place them bottom side down in neat rows, not quite touching, in a well-buttered 13x9x2 inch pan.
8. Cover the rolls and allow them to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 30 – 45 minutes. When doubled in bulk, brush the tops with melted butter and bake in a 375°F oven for 18 – 20 minutes or until nicely browned.
9. If desired, brush or bathe the rolls in more melted butter when they are hot. The butter will sizzle down the sides and bottom of the rolls for a buttery soft crust. Adjust your oven temperature accordingly if needed.