Whole Wheat Molasses Rolls

I found this whole wheat bread recipe that I thought looked promising. So, as always, I made a couple of small changes and I was pleasantly surprised with the result.

Whole Wheat Molasses Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Butter, melted
• 1/4 cup Molasses
• 4 cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) Active Dry Yeast

Directions:

- In a large bowl, combine half the flour, the yeast and the salt and mix well. 

- In a separate bowl, combine water, molasses and melted butter and heat to 120-130 

  degrees F.

- Add the liquids to the flour mixture and mix until moistened. 

- Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a firm dough.

- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic (approximately 5 minutes)

   **I used my mixer with a dough hook for the entire process**

- Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and then a clean kitchen towel. 

- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 - 1.5 hours, or until double in size.

- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, punch it down and then make smooth, 

   round ball. 

- Divide into 24-30 rolls (depending on size) and roll firmly between your palms until a 

   smooth ball forms. 

- The "seams" of the roll should be on the bottom of the roll when you place them onto a 

   cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

- Cover the rolls with the clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 

   minutes. When you lightly touch the side of the roll the indentation should remain 

   visible when the rolls are done rising.

- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

Enjoy!