Sally Lunn Herbed Rolls

This herb roll recipe just bursts forth with summer time smells of fresh herbs.  This simple southern time roll is easy to make and tastes great.  This recipe comes from William Sonoma's cook book The South:  New America Cooking.  Feel free to add your own mixer of fresh herbs from your garden to this recipe.  I choose to add fresh dill, basil and cilantro from my garden.  I also used 1/2 King Arthur's white whole wheat flour and 1/2 King Arthur's white bread flour to the recipe.  This ratio of bread flour to whole wheat flour increases the rolls fiber content, making the rolls more nutritious.

Sally Lunn Herbed Rolls:
Makes:  18 rolls
Pre-heat Oven:  350 degrees

5 teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packages)
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup warm milk (100-110 degrees0
4 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups King Arthur's White Whole Wheat Flour
2 cups King Arthur's Bread Flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
1/2 cup mixed chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro, dill, basil, sage, rosemary and thyme
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk (egg wash)

1.  In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon sugar, warm milk (100-110 degrees) and yeast.  Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Frothy Yeast

2.  In a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and salt until fluffy about 5 minutes.  Add the yeast mixture and continue to beat the mixture.  Add the flour one cup at a time alternating with the melted butter.  Fold in the fresh herbs.

Chopped Cilantro

Herb Roll Dough

3.  Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.  Place the dough in a warm place for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
4.  Punch the dough down and divide the dough into 18 rolls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Cover the rolls and allow to rise for 45 minutes - 1 hour.  Egg Wash the rolls with a pastry brush by mixing the egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl.

Egg Washing The Rolls

5.  Bake the rolls in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Allow the rolls to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.  Serve hot.

Baked Sally Lunn Herbed Rolls