Aniseed Yeast Roll Recipes

GRANDMA'S OLD-FASHIONED YEAST ROLLS

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.

MOLLETES - MEXICAN ANISE SEED ROLLS

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.

ITALIAN ANISE BREAD

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, and anise seed together in a very large bowl; create a well in the center.
• Mix warm water and yeast together in a bowl. Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.
• Beat warm milk, eggs, and butter together in a bowl; stir into yeast mixture. Add milk mixture to the well in the flour mixture. Knead flour-milk mixture using your hands until dough and your hands are no longer sticky. Cover dough with a clean cotton cloth and let rise, 8 hours to overnight.
• Grease and flour 6 loaf pans.
• Punch dough down and divide into 6 portions. Mold each portion into a round shape and place each in a prepared pan. Cover pans and let rise for 1 hour more.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until bread is cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.