Take any bread machine mix. (Some bread machine mix producers sell mixes especially designed for rolls. Typing “bread machine mixes rolls” or something similar into Google or Yahoo should give you a list of sellers.) Mix according to the package directions but set your machine on the “dough” setting so that the machine will mix your bread for you, let it rise and then beep when it is time to bake.



Remove the dough from the machine and divide the dough with a knife into eight equal pieces. Form a round or oval roll with each. Place them on a greased baking sheet with room to expand. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise until doubled—an hour or so depending on the mix and the room temperature.

For hamburger buns, form as for rolls but use the heel of your hand to flatten each roll. The elasticity in the dough will tend to make the rolls spring back. Let the dough relax for a few minutes and repeat the process. Then cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise.

If you care to put sesame seeds or poppy seeds on your rolls, mix one egg white with one tablespoon of water. Just before baking, brush the mixture onto the tops of the rolls and then sprinkle with seeds. The egg white will keep the seeds in place.

Bake the rolls at 375 degrees for about fifteen minutes or until done. Remove them to a wire rack to cool.

Copyright 2003-2007, The Prepared Pantry (www.prepraredpantry.com ). Published by permission