Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 cup warm water (~110 degrees F)
• 4 1/2-5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Put butter and milk in a small saucepan and heat until you first see bubbles, stirring occasionally to keep milk from burning. Then remove from heat and add the cold water. [We're scalding the milk and then cooling it back down to not kill the yeast].

2. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast and warm water, then let sit for about 10 minutes.

3. Once the yeast is activated and the milk mixture is under 130 degrees F, add the milk mixture to the yeast and also the sugar, egg, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until moistened and then mix on medium speed for two minutes. Then switch to a mixing spoon and add another 2 cups of flour. Finally, turn dough out on floured board and knead in additional flour to make a moderately stiff, soft dough. If you have a stand mixer, do all this mixing the easy way and use your dough hook.

4. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turn once to grease surface, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size--about one hour.

5. The next step is to shape according to your desired final product, then cover and let rise again for about 45 minutes, then bake.

6. For basic dinner rolls, divide dough into 16 pieces, roll each between your hands to make a ball. These will need to bake at 350 degrees F for about 15-18 minutes. For the more sugary products, use your favorite methods and fillings and increase your baking time as needed, temperature should be fine for most.