Bake Your Own Sandwich Rolls

Forget Packaged Rolls and Fill The House With the Aroma of Bread

Sep 27, 2009 Joanne LaSpina

It may sound intimidating to bake rolls from scratch, but it does not require fancy equipment or great skill. A few common ingredients, a bowl, and an oven are the only supplies necessary. Long hot dog style rolls, small dinner rolls, and round sandwich rolls are all possible with this recipe.

Why Make Your Own Sandwich Rolls?

Check the label of any packaged sandwich bun from the grocery store. Notice ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, mono and diglycerides and calcium proponiate (which acts as a preservative). Add the allergen statement that states possible cross contamination with major allergens such as milk, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts and it leaves one wondering what's really in that package. Try out this recipe which leaves no question about what's in the bun.

Recipe for Sandwich Rolls

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 packet (1/4 ounce) of active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour

1. Mix together water, yeast and sugar. Add oil, salt, whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups bread flour. Stir in the rest of the flour about 1/2 cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If using a standing mixer, attach dough hook and allow the machine to knead the dough for about 5 minutes. If kneading by hand, put the dough on a lightly floured surface and and knead for 10 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl with olive or canola oil. Put the dough in the bowl and turn to coat the ball with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise for about an hour in a warm place. It will nearly double in volume.
2. Punch down the dough and put it on a lightly floured board. Divide into pieces, making rolls of various sizes and shapes. Put rolls on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with a non-stick spray. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 40 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake until golden brown, checking often for doneness as various sizes will bake at different times.

There is only one problem with this recipe. After eating these sandwich rolls, it is hard to go back to the packaged store bought ones. Nothing beats the smell and taste of fresh bread. Try it out today.