2 c. warm milk
3 c. flour (all-purpose, not bread flour)
2 pkgs. dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 tsp. sugar

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup water until foamy. Beat flour and milk until smooth. Add yeast and let rise until doubled. Meanwhile, while it rises, beat in a separate bowl: 1 tsp. salt 1/2 c. sugar or honey 6 tbsp. butter-flavored Crisco or butter

If ingredients are cold, set bowl in warm water to warm up. Add 2 mixtures together, then add 3 1/2 cups flour and mix well, kneading in the 1/2 cup flour on tabletop. Put in large greased bowl, turning to grease top. Let rise until doubled. Punch down and let rest 15 minutes, then make into rolls. Let rolls rise until doubled. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool on racks.

These can be formed into hamburger buns. Place 3 across a long pan, leaving space between. These can also be used for cinnamon rolls, cinnamon coffee cakes or braided cinnamon strips with frosting. Recipes follow for these.

CINNAMON ROLLS (From Basic Sweet Dough) :

Take a good-sized piece of sweet dough, roll out to 1/2 inch thickness.

Melt 1 cube butter and warm 3/4 cup milk. Spread melted butter over dough after it is rolled out. Spread brown sugar in thin layer over dough. Sprinkle cinnamon over all. Roll up beginning with long side. Cut in pieces 1/2 inch wide. Place in long pan or pie pan greased with melted butter on top. Add 1 teaspoon warm milk over each cinnamon roll and a little in between. Sprinkle plain sugar over each roll and 1/2 teaspoon in between. Sprinkle cinnamon over all. Let rise until double and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Caution: Place a sheet of foil on bottom rack to prevent scorching.

BRAIDED CINNAMON STRIPS:

Take good-sized piece of Basic Sweet dough, roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Soften butter, spread with spatula over surface of dough. Cut dough in long strips. In long pan, combine 1 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Spread over pan bottom. Take strips of dough and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Take 3 strips and braid them in pan of cinnamon and sugar. Place in long pan, greased with butter. Or place in a greased pie pan and join ends in a circle. (If not long enough to fill pan, cut second braid in half and continue.) Put 3 strips in long pan side by side. When all dough is used, take remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture and sprinkle over braids.

Let rise until doubled and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. A thin powdered sugar frosting can be spread over these after baking.

Caution: Place a sheet of foil on bottom rack so they don't burn.