Norma's Holiday Sweet Rolls

This is a recipe that has been in my family for over 100 years. Watch the video that shows how to use this dough to make these Christmas Tree rolls here.

INGREDIENTS:

2 packages of dry yeast
2 cups very warm water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs
6 cups flour

DIRECTIONS:

Dissolve yeast in warm water, stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar and set aside.

Cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Add 2 eggs and the yeast mixture, then mix in the flour a cup or two at a time. When it starts to get hard to use a blender, mix it with a wooden spoon until it forms a ball. Knead until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if needed, but a slightly soft dough makes lighter rolls.

Cover with wax paper and a towel and set in a warm place until twice its bulk. Punch down and let rise again. This combined process may take several hours so it is well to make the dough the day before and refrigerate it overnight.

Roll one half of the dough into a rectangle about 8" x 12" and 1/2" thick. Spread liberally with melted butter, then sprinkle on sugar combined with cinnamon. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Roll and cut into 1/2" slices. Lay on a greased pan, sides touching, and let rise again until they double in size. Bake for 5 minutes at 375 degrees, then reduce oven to 350 degrees and bake 15 minutes more or until golden brown.

Frost with confectioners icing. Makes 4 dozen rolls.