Turkey Shaped Rolls are a fun and festive way to serve dinner rolls, especially for Thanksgiving or any fall gathering. These rolls are shaped to look like adorable turkeys, adding a whimsical touch to your holiday table. They are just as delicious as they are cute! You can use your favorite dinner roll dough or a store-bought option for convenience. Here’s how you can make them:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water (around 110°F / 45°C)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Optional: Extra butter for brushing
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired, and you’ll need to try again with fresh yeast.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Once the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the flour along with the warm milk and melted butter.
- Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. You can use a spoon to stir and then knead the dough with your hands. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
3. Shape the Rolls into Turkeys:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
For each turkey-shaped roll:
- Take one piece of dough and form it into a ball (this will be the turkey’s body).
- Take another piece of dough, roll it into a small ball, and then slightly flatten it to form a “head.” Attach this piece to the body.
- For the feathers, take 4 small pieces of dough, roll them into small balls, and flatten them into oval or teardrop shapes. Arrange them around the “body” to look like feathers. You can place them in a circle, slightly overlapping, to resemble a turkey’s fan-shaped tail.
Once the turkey shapes are made, gently press a small indentation into the “head” and place a piece of dough (a tiny ball) for the beak. You can also create small indentations with a fork for the eyes.
4. Proof the Rolls:
- Let the shaped turkey rolls rise on the baking sheet for another 30-40 minutes, until they puff up and are slightly larger.
5. Egg Wash:
- Beat the egg and brush it lightly over the top of each turkey-shaped roll. This will give the rolls a golden brown color once baked.
6. Bake the Turkey Rolls:
- Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- If desired, you can brush them with melted butter immediately after baking for a soft and shiny finish.
7. Serve:
- Let the turkey-shaped rolls cool slightly before serving. Arrange them on your serving platter, and enjoy these fun, festive treats!
Tips:
- Alternative Dough: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought dinner roll dough or frozen dough. Just shape and bake according to package instructions.
- Decorating the Turkey Head: If you want to make the turkeys even more detailed, you can use small pieces of dough or edible ingredients like raisins, peppercorns, or olives for eyes. A tiny piece of red dough can be used for the wattle (the fleshy part hanging from the turkey’s beak).
- Storage: These rolls are best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their freshness.
These Turkey Shaped Rolls are a creative and delightful way to add a bit of fun to your Thanksgiving dinner or any fall celebration. They’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults!