Pillow-Soft Potato Rolls

Coming up: a step-by-step guide to the most perfect company-style herbed dinner rolls! These rolls have amazing flavor and texture, and are super-easy to boot. Let's get started!

Ingredients:

2/3 c. sugar

6 T. butter, softened

1/4 c. vegetable shortening

1 c. mashed potatoes (with or without added butter and salt)

2-1/2 t. salt

2 eggs

2 pkg. (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1-1/3 c. warm water (110-115 degrees), divided

6 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. basil, dried

1/2 t. ground sage

1/2 t. thyme, dried

1 t. garlic powder

2 T. grated parmesan cheese

1 Egg, beaten

Additional parmesan cheese

Supplies:

Electric mixer, optional

Mixing bowls

Spatula

Measuring cups and spoons

Towel

3-9" round cake pans

Wire racks

Conventional oven

In a small bowl, combine:

• 2 pkg. (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 2/3 c. warm water (110-115 degrees)

Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together, by hand, or using electric mixer:

• 2/3 c. sugar
• 6 T. butter, softened
• 1/4 c. vegetable shortening

Add:

• 1 c. mashed potatoes (with or without added butter and salt)
• 2-1/2 t. salt
• 2 eggs
• Yeast/Water mixture from previous step

Beat in:

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 t. basil, dried
• 1/2 t. ground sage
• 1/2 t. thyme, dried
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 2 T. grated parmesan cheese
• 2/3 c. warm water

Add:

• 4 c. all-purpose flour, or enough to form a soft dough

Shape dough into a ball; do not knead. Place dough in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place (an oven warmed to 100 degrees, and then turned off works well) until doubled in size, about an hour.

Punch dough down; divide into three balls of dough.

Divide each ball into thirds; cut each third into five strips.

With each strip of dough, form a small ball, by pulling the edges of the dough to the underside, and tucking the edges underneath each roll.

Arrange 15 rolls in each of 3- 9" cake pans, as shown.

You should have 45 rolls total.

Cover pans with a towel, and allow rolls to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.

*If you like, you may cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap, and place them in the refrigerator overnight, and bake them the next day instead.*

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Carefully brush rolls with:

• 1 Egg, beaten

Sprinkle with:

• Additional parmesan cheese

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove rolls from pans to cool on wire racks.