Herb and Swiss Crescents

Aug
13

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These are some of the best, most tender and flavorful rolls I’ve ever made. I am in love with them. The dough is Grandmother Bread, with egg, oil, and milk. It’s simple, easy, and will wow your family tonight! They are also pretty enough for company or a holiday meal.

How to make Herb and Swiss Crescents:

1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour*

Filling and Topping:

4 egg yolks
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon herbs
4 ounces Swiss cheese, grated
sesame seeds

*The flour measure is approximate–you may need slightly more or less. Use enough flour to make a good, pliable dough.

Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter melts. Cool–you want the milk mixture to be fingertip warm (110 to 115 degrees) before combining with yeast (or you will kill the yeast). Transfer milk mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the egg. Add the yeast and sugar; let sit five minutes. Add salt then stir in first two cups of flour with a heavy spoon. Add the remaining flour a little at a time as needed, stirring and adding flour until dough becomes too stiff to continue stirring easily. Add a little more flour and begin kneading. The amount of flour is approximate–your mileage may vary! Continue adding flour and kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. Because of the addition of oil (butter) and egg, you will need more flour than when making a standard Grandmother Bread recipe. Let dough rise in a greased, covered bowl until doubled. (Usually, about an hour.) Uncover bowl; sprinkle in a little more flour and knead again before dividing in half.

On a floured surface, roll out half the dough into a pizza-like circle. Spread with about a third of the filling/topping mixture. Sprinkle on half the Swiss cheese.

Using a pizza wheel, cut into triangles, like slicing pizza. Make into eight or twelve slices, depending on size of rolls desired. (Smaller rolls are great for dinner. Larger rolls make great sandwiches!)
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Roll up and curve slightly to make crescents when placing on a greased baking sheet.

Repeat with remaining half of dough. Use the reserved third of the filling/topping mixture to brush the tops of the crescents. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. (No cheese goes on top–all the cheese is inside, for filling. And only use the sesame seeds on top, not inside.)
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Let rise. Bake at 350-degrees for about 15 minutes, or until browned. Watch carefully–baking time will depend on the size of your rolls.
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You could use any herb mixture you like, of course. I used a rosemary-garlic blend with peppers and dried onions. You could change up the cheese, too. Whatever you like goes!

Find all my recipes using Grandmother Bread here: The Grandmother Bread Headquarters.

See this recipe at Farm Bell Recipes and save it to your recipe box.
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