You can convert nearly any bread recipe to soft dinner rolls and any white bread recipe to a brown bread recipe.

Soft dinner rolls are usually a little richer than bread recipes with more sugar and fat than corresponding bread recipes.  To convert a bread recipe to dinner rolls, simply add more sweetener and butter or shortening but not to exceed a tablespoon and one-half per cup of flour.  Because the butter will add a little moisture to the dough, you may need to compensate with a bit more flour.  Reduce the baking time to 15 to 20 minutes.  Usually soft dinner rolls are baked at 400 degrees.

Most whole wheat bread recipes have 40 to 60 percent whole wheat flour.  To convert a white bread to brown bread, substitute half—more or less—of the white flour for wheat flour.  If the recipe calls for five cups of flour, use 2, 2 1/2, or three cups of whole wheat flour in place of an equal amount of white flour.  The whole wheat flour may absorb moisture a bit differently than the white so be prepared to make a minor adjustment in the amount of liquid that you use.

The bran in the whole wheat flour will damage some of the gluten in the flour.  Whenever making whole wheat bread, use a high-protein content white bread flour or add gluten to the mixture.  A bread conditioner will help the yeast work and make a lighter, smoother loaf.

We just introduced two new brown dinner roll mixes.  Harvest Wheat Dinner Rolls in both a traditional mix and a mix for your bread machine.  Check them out and save money at low introductory prices.

Pictured are Butter Flake Rolls.  We’ll tell you how to make these rich buttery rolls with either your favorite recipe or one of our mixes in six easy steps:

1. Make the dough according to the instructions and let it rise until doubled.
2. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape 1/4-inch thick.  Brush the dough with melted butter.
3. Cut the rectangle into strips one and one-half inches wide.
4. Stack up the strips up five high and cut the strips into 1 1/2-inch blocks.  Stick the blocks on end in muffin tins.
5. Let rise until doubled.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rolls are a rich golden color.

Remove the rolls from the pan to cool on a wire rack.  Serve them while they are still warm.  Freeze any leftovers.

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