I love good bread, especially when it is slathered in butter, fresh out of the oven. Good bread turns a sandwich into something extraordinary, a meal into a feast.
My Grandmother Gibson gave us a Bosch bread mixer when we got married more than 30 years ago. It is perhaps our most beloved and well-used kitchen appliance. I hope it lasts long enough that we can pass it one to one of our children.
One of my favorite types of bread is a Tabasco cheese roll. The recipe initially contemplated baking a single loaf, but we learned years ago that it makes great rolls. It’s one of my Thanksgiving baking traditions.
The recipe calls for sharp cheddar cheese, which pairs nicely with the acidic heat of Tabasco sauce. But if you don’t have sharp cheddar, you can substitute another strong cheese. For the rolls pictured here, I used a combination of cheddar with pecorino romano.
While the rolls are a great side to your meal, they are a tasty foundation for any sandwich.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk (heated)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup (or more) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Tabasco sauce to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Instructions
Combine 2 cups flour with the yeast and salt. Heat the milk to 120 to 130 degrees, and add to the dry ingredients. Add the butter and mix for about 2 minutes until the butter is incorporated into the batter. Add the Tabasco sauce.
Add the additional flour a little at a time until the dough no longer clings to sides of the mixer. Knead the dough in the mixer for about 1-2 minutes, until it is stretchy and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
When the dough has risen. turn the dough out on a clean, floured surface. Using a knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into equal sized pieces. Roll the dough into round balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
Cover the rolls with a towel. Let the rolls rise until they have nearly doubled in size, about 50 minutes. While the rolls are rising, heat your oven to 400*.
Bake the rolls for 10 minutes at 400*, then turn the oven down to 350* and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
Give your family hot rolls. They will love you forever.