Make Ahead Butterhorns

We call these manatee rolls because they kind of look like roly-poly manatees. This is a stress-relieving recipe because you can make the rolls several days ahead. I have stored them in the freezer (before cooking) for up to 4 weeks.

1 Tbs. active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 tsp. salt

4 - 4 1/2 cups flour

softened butter

Combine yeast and warm water; allow to stand 5 minutes until it foams, then stir. Melt butter and warm milk in microwave. In mixing bowl blend in sugar, eggs, salt and dissoved yeats. Add warmed butter and milk slowly. Stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Cover and let rise until double, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Turn dough (which is very soft and should remain so) onto floured board. Knead slightly to handle. Divide in half. Roll each half into a 12-14" circle. Spread the circle with softened or melted butter. Cut pie fashion into 16 pieces (I use a pizza cutter.) Roll each piece loosely from large end to pointed tip.

Place point down close together on a buttered baking sheet. Repeat with second half of dough. cover with plastic wrap and immediately place in freezer for at least 2 hours or until rolls are firmly frozen. Remove from tray and pack in a heavy plastic bag, seal and return to freezer.

Three to four hours before time to bake, remove desired amount of rolls from freezer and place on buttered baking sheet. Cover lightly with a clean towel and allow to rise at room temperature until double. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 32 rolls.

VARIATIONS:

Orange Rolls:

1/2 cup sugar

1 orange

2-3 cups pwd. sugar

Make rolls according to directions above. When the dough is rolled into circle and spread with melted butter, zest orange into sugar, mix and spread half over the dough. Repeat with second part of dough. Freeze and bake according to directions. While baking, mix powdered sugar with juice from orange unitl it makes a thin glaze. Drizzle over rolls when they come out of the oven.

Cinnamon Rolls:

Same as above, only sprinkle circle of dough with sugar and cinnamon mixture. While baking make a glaze with powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle over top of cooked rolls.