Best Whole Wheat Parker House Rolls Recipes

WHOLE WHEAT AND HONEY PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine the honey, hot water and canola oil and beat with an electric mixer. Add the salt and eggs and beat well. Once the mixture has cooled to just lukewarm (about 100 degrees F), add the instant yeast and keep beating. Add the flour, starting with just 3 cups of whole wheat flour, and continue mixing (with the dough hook if using a machine) until a soft dough forms.
• If the dough is really sticky and not coming together continue to add the last cup of whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup at a time until the dough comes together. It should be a very soft dough, so don't overflour or you'll have tough rolls.
• Don't knead the dough, once it is finished mixing together, just transfer to an oiled bowl and let rise, covered, for 60-90 minutes.
• Once the dough has doubled in size you're ready to shape the rolls. Roll the dough out on a lightly oiled countertop to 1/2 inch (1.5cm) thickness. Cut out 3 inch (7.5cm) circles. Holding the dough circle by the edges, dip both sides in the melted butter. Then fold the circle in half on the baking sheet and pinch the edges together to seal. You need to press down hard on the seam, pressing the dough down until you can feel the baking sheet, or it won't stay closed. Continue this process with the rest of the dough, arranging the rolls on the pan so that they are nearly touching. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once the rolls have risen, bake for 18-20 minutes. When they come out of the oven you can brush the tops with the leftover melted butter if you like. Remove them from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely before storing in a sealed plastic bag for up to 5 days. They also freeze well.

WHOLE-WHEAT PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the yeast into the lukewarm water and allow to stand 5 minutes or until frothy.
• Add in the eggs and 1/4 cup of melted butter or oil; beat in 2 cups of the roll mix; let rest 2 minutes.
• Stir in enough of the remaining mix to make a soft dough; turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Clean and lightly grease the bowl, place dough in bowl, turning to grease all sides.
• Cover dough with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk.
• Grease a large baking sheet; set aside.
• Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thick, cut with a floured, round biscuit cuter.
• Dip both sides of dough into the melted 2 tablespoons butter; fold in half, stretching slightly.
• Arrange on prepared baking sheet, not touching and let rise until double, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Variation for Pan Rolls: Grease a 9-in round cake pan, punch down dough. Divide into 12 equal portions.
• Shape each into a smooth ball. dip tops of each into the remaining melted butter.
• Arrange in prepared pan, dipped side up, not touching.
• Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Bake as directed above.

FANNIE FARMER'S PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix the 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter, the sugar, the salt and the warm milk in a large bowl and let cool to lukewarm.
• Stir the yeast into 1/4 cup warm water and let it stand for 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Make the sponge: Add 3 cups flour and the dissolved yeast to the ​milk​ mixture and beat vigorously for 2 minutes​ to form a loose batter.​ Cover and let rise in a warm place until double​d​ in bulk, about 1 hour​. ​​​
• Stir in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time to form a shaggy dough firm enough to knead. Turn out onto a lightly floured board, knead for a minute or two, then let rest for 10 minutes. Resume kneading until smooth​, 8 to 10 minutes​.​ (Alternatively, add the sponge and 3 cups flour to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, and knead on low until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 10 minutes.) Cover the bowl and let rise again until doubled in bulk, 45 to 60 minutes. ​
• Using a rolling pin, roll out dough until it is 1/3 inch thick. Cut with a 2 3/4-inch round biscuit cutter or with an oval Parker House roll cutter.
• Using the dull edge of a knife, make a crease through the center of each piece of dough, brush with melted butter, fold in half along the crease, and press edges lightly together.
• Place rolls 1 inch apart on a buttered baking sheet (or use a silicone baking mat). Let rise again until dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes. (It should feel spongy to the touch, and hold an indentation when pressed with a finger.)
• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 425 degrees. Bake rolls until golden, about 12 to 18 minutes. Brush again with melted butter. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm. The rolls are best when freshly baked but can be reheated in a 350-degree oven for a few minutes before serving.