Heavenly Dinner Rolls

This one is from Taste of Home (1998 Joan Priefert). It feeds a crowd. The method here is different than I usually do, but trust it, it works wonderfully. The dough can be made up to three days ahead and leftovers freeze well...so I am told!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Yields: 5 dozen

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  yeast
• 1⁄4 cup warm water
• 4  cups  warm milk
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup shortening
• 7 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
•  melted butter (optional)

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, sugar, shortening and 4 cups flour; beat until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
2. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt and enough remaining flour to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Turn onto a heavily floured surface; pat to 1/2 inches thickness. Cut with a biscuit cutter or drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
4. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush tops with butter if desired. Dough may be refrigerated up to 3 days. Punch down each day.
5. Notes from me: I use rapid rise yeast and powdered milk for this, so I put the 4 cups of flour, dry yeast, sugar and 1 cup milk powder in the mixer, and add 4 1/4 cups hot water. Proceed as directed.
6. My favorite method for forming these rolls is the drop method above. I spray a 1/4 cup measuring cup with cooking spray and use it to scoop the dough straight out of the bowl.