Best Almost Morton Tea Room Rolls Recipes

Almost Morton tea room rolls are a delightful addition to any tea time or afternoon gathering. The recipe for these rolls has been around for decades and has been passed down from generation to generation. These rolls are light, fluffy, and buttery, making them an irresistible treat. However, creating the perfect Morton tea room roll is a skill that requires patience, attention to detail, and the right ingredients. In this article, we will explore what it means to create "almost Morton tea room rolls" and discuss the key elements that make these rolls so special.

What are Almost Morton Tea Room Rolls?

To understand what Almost Morton tea room rolls are, it is important to know the history of the recipe. Morton tea room was a popular tea room in Knoxville, Tennessee that opened its doors in 1917. The tea room was known for its incredible tea, sandwiches, and sweet treats, including their famous tea room rolls. The recipe for these rolls was a closely guarded secret, passed down only to a select few in the Morton family. However, over time, many home bakers aimed to recreate the coveted recipe, resulting in various versions of the Morton tea room rolls. Today, the term "Almost Morton tea room rolls" is used to describe a recipe that closely resembles the original Morton tea room rolls, but with minor tweaks and adjustments to make them easier to make at home.

The Ingredients

The ingredients used in Almost Morton tea room rolls are largely the same as those in the original Morton tea room rolls. The recipe typically includes flour, yeast, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, and salt. Some variations of the recipe call for additional ingredients, such as cream cheese, sour cream, or honey, but these are not commonly used in the traditional recipe. One key element of the recipe is the use of high-quality ingredients. It is recommended to use unbleached bread flour, as this type of flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a more sturdy and chewy texture. The yeast used is also crucial, as it helps the dough to rise and gives the rolls their fluffy texture.

The Process

The process of making Almost Morton tea room rolls is a labor of love. It involves several steps, including making the dough, letting it rise, shaping the rolls, and baking them. The dough is typically made by combining the flour, yeast, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, and salt in a mixing bowl. The dough is then kneaded until it becomes smooth and elastic, which usually takes around 10 minutes. Once the dough has been kneaded, it is placed in a bowl and covered with plastic wrap or a damp towel. The dough is left to rise in a warm, draft-free location for around an hour or until it has doubled in size. Once the dough has risen, it is time to shape the rolls. The dough is gently punched down, and then rolled out into a large rectangle. The rectangle is then cut into smaller rectangles or squares, which are rolled up into individual rolls. The rolls are then placed on a baking tray and left to rise for another 20-30 minutes or until they have doubled in size. Before baking, the rolls are brushed with melted butter to give them a shiny, golden exterior. Finally, the rolls are baked in a preheated oven for around 15 minutes or until they are lightly golden brown. Once baked, the rolls are left to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Success

Making Almost Morton tea room rolls can be a challenging process, but with a few tips and tricks, you can create perfect rolls every time. Firstly, it is important to measure all of the ingredients accurately. A slight deviation in measurement can affect the texture and taste of the rolls. Secondly, make sure the dough is properly kneaded. Kneading the dough helps to activate the gluten in the flour, which gives the rolls their chewy texture. The dough should be smooth and elastic before it is left to rise. Thirdly, make sure the dough is left to rise in a warm, draft-free location. A cool or drafty location can prevent the dough from rising properly. Lastly, brush the rolls with melted butter before baking. This not only helps to give them a beautiful golden exterior but also adds a delicious buttery flavor to the rolls.

Conclusion

Almost Morton tea room rolls are a beloved treat that are deeply ingrained in the history of Knoxville, Tennessee. While the original recipe may still be a closely guarded secret, the creation of Almost Morton tea room rolls allows home bakers to enjoy a taste of history from the comfort of their own homes. With the right ingredients, patience, and attention to detail, you can create these light, fluffy, and buttery rolls that will delight your family and guests.

Morton tea room rolls are a popular pastry item that has been enjoyed for many years. These delicious rolls are often served with tea and are perfect for brunch, afternoon tea, or even a light lunch. Making Morton tea room rolls at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires some knowledge and preparation to get right. In this article, we’ll provide some valuable tips to help you make the perfect almost Morton tea room rolls recipe. Tip 1: Use the Right Flour The first tip for making almost Morton tea room rolls is to use the right flour. Flour is the foundation of any bread or pastry recipe, and it's essential to use the right kind of flour. For almost Morton tea room rolls, it's best to use all-purpose flour, which is a plain flour that has a medium protein content. Also, make sure to sift the flour before use to remove any lumps and to aerate the flour. Tip 2: Use Quality Yeast Yeast is another crucial ingredient in almost Morton tea room rolls recipe, and it's crucial to use the right kind of yeast. The two most common types of yeast are active dry yeast and instant yeast. Instant yeast is the preferred type of yeast for almost Morton tea room rolls as it eliminates the need for proofing the yeast. Plus, it ensures that the bread rises evenly. Tip 3: Use Warm Water and Milk The next tip for making almost Morton tea room rolls is to use warm water and milk. The water and milk should be lukewarm, which means that it should be warmer than room temperature but not too hot. Lukewarm water and milk help the yeast to activate faster and makes the dough rise better. Tip 4: Knead the Dough Properly Kneading is an essential part of almost Morton tea room rolls recipe, and it's important to do it right. Kneading involves working the dough to develop gluten, which gives bread its chewy texture. Kneading also helps to ensure that the bread rises evenly. To knead the dough, use the palms of your hands to push and pull the dough in a circular motion until it's smooth and elastic. Tip 5: Let the Dough Rest Letting the dough rest is another important step in making almost Morton tea room rolls. After kneading the dough, it's important to let it rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the gluten to relax. Resting the dough also helps the bread to rise better. Tip 6: Use the Right Temperature for Rising The temperature for rising is another crucial element for making almost Morton tea room rolls. Ideally, the dough should be left to rise in a warm and draft-free location. The ideal temperature for rising is between 80-90°F for yeast bread. However, if your kitchen is cooler, it will take longer to rise, but this is perfectly fine. Tip 7: Brush with Egg Wash Once the almost Morton tea room rolls are shaped and ready to bake, it's important to brush them with an egg wash. An egg wash is made by whisking an egg with a bit of water or milk. Brushing the rolls with an egg wash gives them a golden-brown color and gives them a shiny finish. Tip 8: Use a Baking Stone Using a baking stone is another valuable tip for making almost Morton tea room rolls. A baking stone is an excellent tool for ensuring that the bread is evenly baked. A baking stone absorbs moisture from the dough, creating a crisp crust while keeping the inside of the bread moist and tender. Tip 9: Let the Almost Morton Tea Room Rolls Cool After removing the almost Morton tea room rolls from the oven, it's important to let them cool before serving. Letting the rolls cool helps them to firm up and develop their flavor. This can take around 10 minutes. Tip 10: Store the Rolls Correctly Proper storage is essential for keeping almost Morton tea room rolls fresh and tasty. Once the rolls are completely cool, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to store them for longer, freeze them in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 1 month. To thaw frozen rolls, place them in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave for a few seconds. Conclusion: Almost Morton tea room rolls are a delicious pastry item that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Making them at home requires some basic knowledge and preparation, which includes using the right flour, yeast, warm water and milk, kneading the dough properly, letting the dough rest, using the right temperature for rising, brushing with egg wash, using a baking stone, letting the rolls cool, and storing the rolls correctly. By following these tips, you can make the perfect almost Morton tea room rolls recipe every time.