Versatile Sweet Bread Dough
This versatile sweet bread dough is the foundation for a multitude of delightful baked goods, perfect for breakfast treats like cinnamon rolls and caramel rolls, as well as savory options including dinner rolls served alongside your favorite pork dishes. Its soft and rich texture, enhanced by the warm flavors of butter and sugar, makes it an excellent choice for creative bakers looking to make everything from monkey bread to gooey sticky buns. With this recipe, you can customize your fillings and toppings, making it a favorite for any occasion. Enjoy this easy-to-follow recipe that has been shared among family and friends for years!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Milk
1/2 cup (scalded)
Cold Water
1/2 cup (none)
Active Dry Yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet)
Warm Water
1/4 cup (110 degrees F)
All-Purpose Flour
4 1/2-5 cups (as needed)
Sugar
1/4 cup (none)
Beaten Egg
1 (beaten)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine the unsalted butter and milk. Heat over medium until you see the first bubbles, stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching. Remove from heat and stir in the cold water to cool the mixture.
2
In a large mixing bowl, mix the active dry yeast with the warm water and allow it to sit for approximately 10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy and activated.
3
Once the yeast is activated and the milk mixture is around 110 degrees F, pour the milk mixture into the yeast along with the sugar, beaten egg, salt, and 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Use an electric mixer with a low speed to combine the ingredients until moistened, then switch to medium speed for 2 minutes.
4
Gradually add an additional 2 cups of flour and mix well. If you have a stand mixer, use a dough hook for this process. After mixing, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and begin kneading by hand or with the dough hook, incorporating more flour as necessary until you form a moderately stiff and soft dough.
5
Transfer the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat the surface with grease. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which typically takes about one hour.
6
After the initial rise, shape the dough according to your desired final product. Cover it again and allow it to rise for about 45 minutes before baking.
7
For basic dinner rolls, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, rolling each between your hands to create a ball. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. For sweeter varieties, shape and fill as desired, adjusting baking time if needed but maintaining the temperature around 350 degrees F.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Versatile Sweet Bread Dough?
It is a multipurpose dough used as a foundation for various baked goods like cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, and dinner rolls.
What can I make with this dough?
You can create breakfast treats like sticky buns, monkey bread, and cinnamon rolls, or savory sides like dinner rolls.
What type of yeast does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for one packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
How do I activate the yeast?
Mix the yeast with 1/4 cup of warm water and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
What temperature should the warm water be for the yeast?
The warm water should be approximately 110 degrees F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
Why is the milk heated with butter?
Heating the milk and butter together helps scald the milk and melt the butter, creating a rich base for the dough.
What is the purpose of adding cold water to the heated milk?
Cold water is added to the scalded milk and butter mixture to help cool it down quickly to an appropriate temperature for the yeast.
What type of flour is recommended for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is used, typically requiring between 4 1/2 to 5 cups in total.
How many eggs are needed?
One large beaten egg is required for this dough recipe.
Can I use an electric mixer for this dough?
Yes, use an electric mixer on low speed to combine ingredients, then switch to medium for 2 minutes.
Is a stand mixer necessary?
While not strictly necessary, using a stand mixer with a dough hook is recommended for the mixing and kneading process.
How do I know when I have added enough flour?
You should add flour gradually until you form a moderately stiff yet soft dough that can be handled.
How long does the dough need to rise the first time?
The dough should rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which usually takes about one hour.
Should the rising bowl be greased?
Yes, place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and turn it once to coat the entire surface with grease.
How long is the second rise after shaping?
After shaping the dough into rolls or other forms, it should rise for another 45 minutes before baking.
What is the baking temperature for this bread?
The recommended baking temperature is 350 degrees F.
How long do basic dinner rolls take to bake?
Dinner rolls typically take 15-18 minutes to bake or until they are golden brown.
How many dinner rolls does this recipe make?
When divided into equal pieces, this recipe makes approximately 16 dinner rolls.
Can I use this dough for savory dishes?
Yes, it is excellent for dinner rolls served alongside pork dishes or other savory meals.
What is the texture of the finished bread?
The dough produces a soft and rich texture, enhanced by the butter and sugar content.
Is the butter used salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of unsalted butter.
How much sugar is in the dough?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sugar to provide a mild sweetness.
Do I need to kneed the dough by hand?
You can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface or use a dough hook on a stand mixer.
What color should the rolls be when they are done?
The rolls should be baked until they reach a golden brown color.
Should I cover the dough while it rises?
Yes, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent the dough from drying out.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
Can the baking time vary for sweet varieties?
Yes, depending on the shape and filling used, you may need to adjust the baking time while keeping the temperature at 350 degrees F.
Is this a family-style recipe?
Yes, the description mentions it is an easy-to-follow recipe that has been shared among family and friends for years.
What ingredients are scalded?
The unsalted butter and milk are heated together until the first bubbles appear.
Can I customize the fillings?
Absolutely, this dough is designed to be versatile so you can customize your own fillings and toppings.