Aniseed Yeast Roll Recipes

Steps:

• Place aniseed and fennel seeds in self-sealing plastic bag; close bag. Using mallet, pound seeds until coarsely crushed.
• Place warm water in large bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Sprinkle yeast over and stir to blend. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Mix 1/2 cup molasses and oil into yeast mixture.
• Stir 3 1/2 cups bread flour, whole grain rye flour, orange peel, salt and crushed aniseed and fennel seeds in large bowl to blend. Add to yeast mixture. Beat mixture at medium speed until firm but sticky dough forms, about 4 minutes. Turn dough out onto floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, adding more bread flour as necessary if dough is sticky, about 8 minutes.
• Form dough into ball. Oil large bowl. Add dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Sprinkle 2 baking sheets generously with cornmeal. Punch down dough. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead 3 minutes. Divide dough into 16 equal portions. Cut each portion into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 8-inch-long rope. Grasp 2 ropes at each end and twist ropes together, making about 4 turns. Pinch twisted ropes 1 inch from each end. Place twist on prepared sheet. Repeat forming of twists with remaining dough pieces. Cover with kitchen towels. Let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Brush tops of rolls lightly with 2 tablespoons molasses (do not allow molasses to drip onto sheets under rolls). Sprinkle rolls with additional aniseed and fennel seeds. Bake until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped on bottom, switching top and bottom baking sheets halfway through baking, about 20 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Wrap in foil and freeze. If desired, rewarm thawed wrapped rolls in 350°F oven about 10 minutes.)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Stir in sugar and salt until you see foam rising. Add 3 cups flour and 3/4 cup shortening; mix with the dough hook until the mixture is the consistency of a thick pancake batter.
• Fill a pot with hot (not boiling) water.
• Remove the mixer bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and a towel. Place the bowl over the pot of hot water, making sure the bottom does not touch the water. Let rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Place the bowl back on your stand mixer and gradually mix in remaining 4 cups flour until dough is smooth and elastic; you may need to add up to 1 additional cup.
• Heavily grease two 9x13-inch pans with shortening.
• Divide dough into 24 balls. Place 12 balls into each of the prepared pans; cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour; balls will start out at about 1 1/2 inches in diameter but will rise and touch the sides of the pans.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush melted butter over top.

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar in warm water in a large mixing bowl; set aside.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream shortening with remaining sugar.
• Beat in eggs; add salt and anise seed.
• Add creamed mixture to yeast and thoroughly combine.
• Gradually add flour to mixture until a moderately firm dough is formed.
• Knead dough on a lightly floured board until it is smooth and elastic.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise until double in size.
• Punch dough down, knead, and allow to double in size again.
• Knead dough and shape into round balls the size of an egg.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place in a well-greased pan, cover, and allow to double in size again.
• Lightly brush with margarine and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a pan, and heat just until bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C).
• Dissolve yeast in 1 cup lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) water. Allow to rest 5 minutes.
• Beat the shortening with the sugar, eggs, salt, and anise seeds in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the milk and yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour, stirring to make a soft dough (dough should not be sticky). Add more flour if needed. Cover bowl with a clean cloth, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Lightly grease 2 baking sheets. Punch down dough, divide into two pieces, and roll out each piece into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 8x1 inch strips. Twist each strip into a simple knot, and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Pour 1 quart water into a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Dip each roll quickly into the boiling water, and return to baking sheet.
• Bake rolls in preheated oven until tops are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.