This dough makes great bread, rolls or even pizza. For pizza, just shape on a pizza pan or in a baking pan for a deep-dish pizza, add the sauce (Boboli packaged is good), then the cheese or whatever other toppings you want to add. Great!
Note: I created this recipe for use with my KitchenAid mixer. If you don't have a mixer, you can accomplish the same results by hand.
30 ROLLS (OR 2 LOAVES)
5-1/2 cups bread or all-purpose flour
4 rounded tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 packages of fast-acting dry yeast
1-1/2 cup water
3/4 cup buttermilk (plus 1 T. for small batch, 2 for large)
2 tablespoons olive oil (use light or regular)
1 beaten egg, for brushing rolls
3 tablespoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place the first five ingredients, except 2 cups of the flour, in the Kitchen-Aide pot and attach the flat blade. Turn the mixer on to speed 1 to blend the ingredients and let it run while you do step 2.
2. Put the water, buttermilk and olive oil in a 2-cup measuring cup and heat to 125°-130° in the microwave (about 1 minute 40 seconds). Add to the pot and beat on 4 for 1 minute.
3. Attach the dough hook, turn on 2, add the rest of the flour immediately and knead for 8 minutes.
4. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 35 minutes, or until doubled in size, in a warm place (an oven warmed to 100° with light on works well). Punch the dough down and place on a flat surface to shape.
5. For pull-apart rolls, use 2-9"x12½" non-stick pans with high rims (such as a cornbread pan), lightly oiled. Cut the dough into 30 even pieces (or make larger loaves of any shape if you desire). Place them in the pans making 3 rows of 5 each.
Cover them loosely with wax paper and let rise in a warm place for another 25-35 minutes. They should be nicely raised and puffy looking.
6. Brush the rolls with egg.
7. If you like, sprinkle the rolls (or bread) with sesame or poppy seeds. Place them in a 350° oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are browned.
Remove them from the pans and place them on wire racks to cool.
