Golden Crescents

From Taste of Home. Another one of the very first recipes I tried when learning to make my own bread. These are so tender and delicious, it's impossible to eat just one.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 3⁄4 cup warm water (110 to 115 )
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, plus
• 2  tablespoons butter or 2  tablespoons margarine, softened, divided
• 2  tablespoons shortening
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 4 -4 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
•  butter (optional) or  margarine, melted (optional)

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, 1/4 cup butter,shortening, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top.
4. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
5. Punch the dough down; divide in half.
6. Roll each portion into a 12-in. circle.
7. Melt remaining butter;brush over dough.
8. Cut each circle into 12 wedges.
9. Roll up wedges from the wide end and curve to form crescents.
10. Place with point down 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
11. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
12. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
13. Brush with butter if desired.
14. Yield: 2 dozen.