Let's Make and Break Bread Together

My Mother-in-law can whip up some homemade bread, rolls, french loaves or cinnamon rolls in nothing flat it seems. She uses this recipe for all of these variations. It's a family favorite which I've never made myself until today. It was so easy and is so yummy. Thanks to her for sharing her recipe with me and others all over the world over the years. She has taught many to make and break bread together!

Darla's Bread or Roll Recipe

In a large bowl or mixer, mix the following ingredients together (in order given):
2 1⁄2 cups of lukewarm water
2 tablespoons of yeast
3 tablespoons of sugar (white)
1 tablespoon or 2 teaspoons of salt
5 tablespoons (tbsp) of light olive oil or canola oil
6-7 cups of flour (may substitute) a couple cups of whole wheat flour

Blend in half of flour and mix well. Stir in the remaining flour a little at a time until dough rolls into a ball without being sticky. Lightly oil outside of ball with a small amount of oil on your hand, cover and let double in size.

For French Loaves: Cut dough in half and roll into two rectangles. Roll into loaves. Roll into a roll. Put seam on the bottom. Make slashes on the top of loaves with a knife and brush with egg whites. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake on a stone or cookie sheet in hot oven (400/425 degrees for 20 t0 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool on wooden board or something that won't sweat. Enjoy!

For Dinner Rolls: Shape as desired and bake same temperature for about 20 min.

For Cinnamon Rolls: Cut dough in half. Shape into a rectangle and spread with a thin layer of margarine. In a small bowl mix approximately 2 cups of brown sugar with about 4 tsp. of cinnamon. Spread about half of the mixture on the rectangle. Roll up and slice into about 1 inch cinnamon roll slices. Turn on sides and place on a cookie sheet. Let them double in size. Bake as above and ice with the following glaze or frosting:
2 cups of powdered sugar or icing sugar
1⁄4 cup of margarine
1 tsp vanilla
Just enough milk to make a thick icing. Spread a thin layer on rolls while warm.