Feather-Light Overnight Rolls

This is the best recipe to make if you don't have a stand-up mixer like a Bosch or a Kitchen Aid because it doesn't need to be kneaded!  The rolls are super light and fluffy; the best I've had.  I have also frozen the rolls prior to rising and baking and that works pretty good too.  FYI: this is a huge recipe!  It makes 6 dozen rolls.  So if you don't have a lot of cookie sheets and cooling racks, then I'd definitely half the recipe.

Feather-Light Overnight Rolls:

1 c. water

1 c. butter (2 sticks)

3/4 c. sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 c. cold water

2 tbs. yeast

1/2 c. warm water 

4 eggs, beaten

7 1/2 c. flour

In a large saucepan bring 1 cup water to a boil.  Add the 1 cup butter, sugar, and salt.  Remove from heat.  Add the 1 cup cold water.  Separately, dissolve 2 tbs. yeast in 1/2 c. warm water.  When the first mixture is lukewarm, add yeast mixture and beaten eggs.  Stir briefly.  Add flour and stir together.  THIS WILL BE A REALLY WET DOUGH!  Resist the urge to add more flour.  Cover the pan with a lid and refrigerate overnight.

Divide dough into six equal parts.  Lightly flour surface and roll out each portion into a large circle about 1/2" thick and 12" in diameter. Spread melted butter over the dough.  Cut the dough into 12 wedges with a pizza cutter by first cutting the dough into 4 pie pieces and then cutting each 1/4 into 3 more pie pieces.  Roll up each pie piece starting with the wide end to form a crescent roll.  Tuck the end underneath the roll and place on a greased cookie sheet. 

Let rise about 3-4 hours (like while you are gone to church is the perfect time, especially because there are not little bodies around to get into them while they raise).  Bake at 400 degrees about 8-10 minutes.  

Note: These rolls will rise a lot!  So don't cut out the initial roll very big or you'll have footballs for rolls by the time you are done.  Also, I have made these plenty of times when I only put the dough in the fridge for an hour instead of overnight.  That works too.

 Roll each portion into a circle about 12" in diameter.

Next, cut the circle into 12 equal pieces by first cutting the circle into 4 and then cutting each quarter into three pieces.
Roll up each piece starting with the fat side and then place them onto a greased cookie sheet with the "tail" tucked underneath.  This forms a crescent shaped roll as seen in the pic below.
 Cover and let rise about 4 hours or so depending on how warm your house is.  The picture below is of them risen.  Bake at 400 about 7-10 minutes.  Watch them closely.