Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rue Tatin Sweet Crescent Rolls





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Every year at this time, I renew my search for the perfect cinnamon roll. I've been looking for decades now and still come up short. I've finally decided that the only way I'll ever find my golden fleece, is to rob elements of existing recipes, and combine them in such a fashion that they can be called my own. Tonight's post is not about cinnamon rolls, it is, rather, about an outstanding sweet dough that I think will work very nicely as a base for them. I know most of you have read the charming memoir, On Rue Tatin, written by Susan Loomis. Tucked between its covers is a lovely recipe called Les Pains De Rapprochement or The Rolls That Brought us Together. That dough is the one I'll be using next week when I feature the world's ultimate cinnamon roll. They are really good and I think you forgive my modest brag when you taste them. Anyway, I tested Susan's recipe exactly as it was written before forging the path that will lead all of us to those very special rolls. The Silver Fox loved the basic recipe and was charmed by the shape and color of the rolls. It is at his urging that I'm sharing the original recipe for her crescent rolls with you. These are really easy to do, especially if you have a large stand mixer to do the work for you. The dough requires a bit of kneading, but it is so velvety in hand that that is a pleasure to do. These are really nice. They are meant to be served warm from the oven, but they can be reheated in a microwave if needs be. There are no tricks here. Follow the recipe and you have gorgeous crescent rolls to serve your family and friends. I hope you'll come back next week when we feature them with added bells and whistles. Here's the basic recipe.

Sweet Crescent Rolls...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Susan Herrmann Loomis

Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2-1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon table salt

Directions:
1) Scald milk over medium-high heat. Pour it into large bowl of an electric mixer. Add butter and stir until butter has melted. Set aside until mixture is lukewarm.
2) Stir yeast and sugar into milk. Add 1 cup flour and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add salt and 1 more cup of flour. Mix vigorously until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes on medium speed.
3) Add reserved 2-1/2 cups flour and mix just until incorporated. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Continue kneading by hand until it is smooth.
4) Place dough in a bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and set aside until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
5) Lightly flour 2 baking sheets.
6) Turn dough onto a well-floured surface, divide it in half, and roll each half to form a circle that is 1/8-inch thick and 16-inces in diameter. Cut each circle into quarters, and cut each quarter into 4 wedges, Roll edges up, beginning at the wide end, to form crescents.
7) Place rolls on prepared sheets, leaving 2-inches between them and arranging them with tips tucked underneath. Cover rolls with a kitchen towel and let rise until they have doubled in size, at least 4 hours.
8) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
9) Bake rolls in center of oven until they are golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately. Yield: 32 crescent rolls.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Dark and Soft Restaurant Dinner Rolls - Handle the Heat
Olive and Asiago Rolls - Cookie Madness
Soft Whole Wheat Rolls - One Perfect Bite
90 Minute Dinner Rolls - Drick's Rambling Cafe
Sour Dough Dinner Rolls - Phoo-d
Potato Dinner Rolls - Sweet and Savory Tooth
Parker House Rolls - The Pioneer Woman
Soft Dinner Rolls - Inspired2Cook

This post is being linked to:
Wild Yeast - Yeast Spotting

88 comments :

-Arielle- said...

These look amazing! How do you get them so perfect looking? Delicious!

Sunanda said...

I love this kind of rolls and this looks absolutely perfect.. thnx for sharing the recipe..

Faith said...

Ooooh I need those in my life with a hot cup of tea!!!!

Awayofmind Bakery House said...

The rolls look so perfectly roll-up!! Is amazing!

Diane said...

These look so appetising, great photos. Take care. Diane

Lifewithspices said...

Perfect and amazing looking rolls!!

Anonymous said...

Gah! I'm reading this at 1:30 AM so it's too late for me to make these now. I'm definitely making them for dinner tomorrow!

Umm Mymoonah said...

The rolls looks so perfect, yumm.

Pondside said...

I'll bet they're delicious!
I look forward to the Cinnamon roll recipe!

Banana Wonder said...

I'm sure you are being ultra modest, cause these rolls sound and look amazing. I've been looking for a croissant type of roll to make my own almond croissants (picked up some amazing white chocolate marzipan filling in Seattle). The butter and kneading seem worth it. Thanks for the recipe Mary!

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

i'm also looking for the ultimate recipe, but in the chocolate chip cookies area.
Your photos are lovelly, it made me want to grab that one, run away and hide...

Another nice recipe Mary, thank you!

Rita

Sushma Mallya said...

They look so beautiful and perfect, lovely clicks as well:)

mara said...

Nobody can resist these masterpieces.
Mary I want to make and publish in the area mou.Me your permission.
Good morning!

Priya Suresh said...

Damn pretty and marvellous looking crescent rolls..

Three-Cookies said...

Looks absolutely beautiful, you have designed it well! And sounds tasty. I have tried sweet rolls made with condensed milk and its pretty nice too

Ana Powell said...

A master piece, they are absolutely perfect ♥

Anonymous said...

The rolls looks delicious
have a nice day
kisses
leyla

Lynn said...

These are beautiful Mary, I look forward to your cinnamon rolls:@)

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow...pass me some dear...truly awesome..:D
Tasty appetite

The Sweetylicious said...

OMG! is so divine! so neat and lovely! im sure is delicious! (:

CaThY said...

You got perfect rolls! Awesome! :)

Flavia Galasso said...

Tey are so perfect!!! I find you recipe perfect....hugs and blessings, Flavia

Suman Singh said...

These look amazing..thanks for sharing the recipe..

The Blonde Duck said...

Ben would love these!

Tanna said...

Oh, Mary. I think these are just what I am looking for this morning. =) Thank you so much!!

The Food Hound said...

I bet these are divine!!! I need to make homemade rolls more often! You did a perfect roll-up! Mine are... not quite so perfect looking :)

From the Kitchen said...

I'm very happy to have help when it comes to the perfect cinnamon roll. It has been a quest of mine as well. Ideally, it would be one with an overnight in the refrigerator so I didn't have to get up so early to get them ready for breakfast/brunch. "On Rue Tatin" is one of my favorite food memoirs and I've done a number of recipes from the book.

Good luck in your quest.

Best,
Bonnie

Elaine said...

There's nothing like the smell of dough rising in the kitchen. These rolls make such a pretty statement.

Unknown said...

Those rolls do look lovely! The shape and color are fantastic! I can't WAIT for your ultimate cinnamon roll recipe....I promised myself this would be the year I actually make cinnamon rolls!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I can appreciate all your work - it took me many years of trial and error, and compiling components from several recipes, to find my perfect cinnamon roll. I look forward to sampling yours.

:)
ButterYum

Kim said...

These rolls looks pretty good and I'm sure these will make a great base for cinnamon rolls... I'm so excited to see the results! I'm a HUGE fan of cinnamon rolls too...

Karen said...

These look absolutely stunning, Mary! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. Now I'd like to order two dozen! :-)

Haden News said...

Mary, these rolls are beautiful!!! I can't wait for the cinnamon rolls. Can't wait to make these!

Clint said...

What a great picture!---perfect. You know, I love the way you describe your dishes and it is so obvious that you truly have a passion for your culinary skills and your blog. It is a pleasure stopping by here every day.

Claudia said...

You certainly know how to make someone want to bake crescent rolls. Wait for the cinnamon but love them as is.

June said...

I was wondering what I was going to do today and now I know. Thanks Mary.

Helia Roberto said...

Mary, I have to tell you, I wihs I had half your talent to mase these rolls, yours look absulutely divine.

have a nice day

kisses

HĂ©lia

lena said...

this method is slightly different from the bread making, you sounded them so good and it looks wonderful!

Leslie said...

These look and sound perfect!

Anonymous said...

omg, those crescent rolls are beautiful! and your pictures are lovely! You sure are one multi talented person!

La Bella Cooks said...

Feel free to send any leftover rolls my way! I would love to give these a try and share with a cup of tea. Lovely.

That Girl said...

These look so soft and doughy

Brandie@thecountrycook said...

First of all - these look so beautiful I can hardly stand it. Second of all, I am chomping at the bit to see your cinnamon roll recipe!!

RamblingTart said...

I absolutely adore crescent rolls, Mary, but have never attempted them. Yours are so beautiful, light and perfectly browned. :-)

Susan/Wild Yeast said...

I love these! And I can't wait for the ultimate cinnamon rolls!

Kelly said...

I've never thought about a sweet crescent roll before, but now that I think about it -they sound quite yummy! As far as your perfect cinnamon roll goes, I think sometimes combining several recipes until you find your own is probably the best way to go. Some of my favorite recipes were born that way and continue to morph!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

The look so perfectly shaped Mary. I have never been able to duplicate my favourite cinnamon buns with a ooey gooey caramelized bottom and cream cheese frosting. But the drive to the bakery is stunning so I will never be without:D

Alessandra said...

They are so perfect, both the shape and the cooking glaze.

Perfect breakfast for me and my bowl of caffellatte!

Have a good week end

ciao

Alessandra

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I've read On Rue Tatin several times and could read it several more times. I would love to take cooking lessons from Susan and be able to cook on her red stove.

Your crescent rolls are beautiful Mary. I'm now wishing I was more of a baker.
Sam

Julie said...

They really do look perfect! Mouthwatering indeed :)

Catherine said...

These rolls are made to perfection! I can almost taste the sweet and buttery goodness. These are "one perfect bite". Blessings to you Mary, Catherine

Arlene Delloro said...

The only thing that could possibly make these better would be some chocolate in the center. I'm bookmarking this recipe and can't wait for the cinnamon rolls.

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Picture perfect!
Absolutely delicious am sure, with ur own twist and take on the rolls!
happy day woth lodsa love Mary!
Ahh and yes those onion rings are gorgeous too!

Rita said...

Thank you Mary for sharing this recipe; making croissant has been on my TO DO List and these look perfect.
Rita

Anonymous said...

How lovely! These rolls look splendid. I would love it with a cup of tea and jam!

Ronda Kisner said...

Oh those look good!

Torviewtoronto said...

perfect looks beautiful

Tasha said...

These are seriously the most beautiful and perfectly formed crescent rolls I have ever seen. It's no wonder your husband was so charmed by them.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, Mary, this recipe just went to the top of my to-try stack of recipes. My family would be thrilled...I made some Cook's Illustrated crescent rolls and they were begging me to bake them again. And I'm eagerly awaiting your cinnamon roll recipe, too...thanks!

Velva said...

The dough looks sweet and buttery. I think you may made the perfect dough. Wow. I am looking forward to your cinnamon rolls.

Velva

Simply Life said...

oh my gosh! i can't believe you made these! They belong on a magazine cover (and on my kitchen table) :)

Anonymous said...

Hello Sweet Mary... I'm sorry I missed a few of your posts.. but I'm catching up now.. what a whirlwind it's been with mum being ill...

I have to be honest and say.. I have not read some of the great books that are bound together.. catcher in the rye, or the one you just described.. I can't seem to sit still long enough.. but I only read manuals mostly...

I really like the contrast in colors in your photo, the Crescent Rolls look utterly fabulous...

Elin Chia said...

Mary...these rolls are so healthy and delicious ! You have great photography skill and have managed to make me salivate just looking at them thru the Window :) Have added it to my to do list...which is getting longer by the day :)

Have a nice day,
Elin

Prema said...

u r rocking Dear! this amazing...yummy rolls.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Simple, elegant, and absolutely beautiful!! I wish I could take a bite right through the screen!

Joanne said...

I love love love the sound of that sweet dough! My uncle has hepatitis and the last time he was in the hospital, I promised I would bake him a TON of cinnamon rolls so that he could eat up and gain some weight. I think I might need to make these instead.

Unknown said...

Another winner from you Marie - I can feel the warmth of these babies! And thanks too for voting for me. xoxo

Unknown said...

These are a thing of beauty Mary! And I WILL be back next week for those "bells" but I'll also be back tomorrow... ;)

Anonymous said...

these croissants are perfectly made! look so dainty and delish! This recipe page needs to be bookmarked for sure. :)

Anonymous said...

There is nothing better than homemade rolls! I wish I had one of these tonight with my dinner. Great photos! :)

Bakericious said...

you have baked them perfect and looks delicious.

A Canadian Foodie said...

These are too perfect to eat. But, I have copied the recipe and am going to make them, anyway. Mine will look far more rustic, but I really appreciate this recipe. It is simple and these will be a delicious addition to any meal or potluck.
YUM!
(and in my Thermomix, a breeze to make)
:)
Valerie

Lora said...

These are just sheer perfection.

Bichinha said...

Thank for your visit to my little virtual kitchen. I have to say that i'm loving each thing you've done, it's all so delicious... and these rolls oh my god... i'll do it for sure :)

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Gorgeous! It's been so long since I've made crescent rolls (and then it was with adult supervision) but you've inspired me to try again.

A little bit of everything said...

these are so professional looking. i'd love to give them a try just one question: I didn't understand how much flour is needed 4 cups minus 1/2 cup (meaning 3 cups and half) or 4 cups and 1/2 cup. thanks Mary

Becky said...

I am looking forward to your cinnamon rolls. A friend from high school makes them for our reunions, which is coming up this next June...45!!! She has been a state winner in Iowa for her rolls...several years in a row, maybe? (Can't remember everything.) I bake bread, but have never attempted cinnamon rolls.

Eliana said...

I can see myself growing very addicted to these! They would not look more perfect Mary.

Susan said...

These look absolutely perfect! I can't wait for the cinnamon version! The best cinnamon rolls I've made are from Rebecca Rather's "The Pastry Queen" http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+pastry+queen
I also recommend www.penzeys.com for the untimate cinnamon.

Stevie said...

I am stunned by your rolls, and your modesty. They are beautiful and I can't get over how they are perfectly symmetrical and uniform in shape. That is a feat that I can never acheive. I love cinnamon rolls so will certainly be back for more mouthwatering fun.

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful!!! Truly picture perfect

Sue said...

These look absolutely heavenly!

Monet said...

So now I know what I'm making tomorrow....these rolls look heavenly...melt in your mouth good. I'm also very excited about those cinnamon rolls :-) Thanks for sharing, sweet lady. I hope you have a splendid weekend full of sleep, laughter and love!

My Little Space said...

Oo... these are gorgeous! I love it. Hopefully, I can make them today or tomorrow. Thanks for the lovely recipe. You have a lovely day. Happy Weekend!
BLessings, Kristy

Ari Recipes said...

this are so perfect!!!!!!! outside is so cold, I'd love 1-3 pieces of this with a hot tea :x

Alicia Foodycat said...

I love that book! I've made the olive biscuits from it a couple of times. These rolls look lovely and I am very much looking forward to your ultimate cinnamon rolls!

TheresaSea said...

These look so beautiful! :)

CaSaundraLeigh said...

These look straight out of a bakery, but then again all of your baked goods do!! :-)

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