Bread Birds
Country
These dinner rolls are made special by innkeeper Iris Karl for honeymooners or couples celebrating anniversaries. Iris uses currants for the eyes and a slivered almond for the beak.
SERVINGS: 16
CATEGORY: Breads
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 35 min. + rising Bake: 25 min.
Ingredients:
- 3 to 3-1/2 cups bread flour (no substitutes), divided
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 16 slivered almonds
- 32 currants
- HONEY BUTTER:
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add milk and water; heat to 120°-125°. Add to flour mixture and mix well. Stir in extract and egg; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down; divide into 16 pieces. To shape birds, roll each piece into a 10-in. rope; tie into a knot. Cut one end a few times with a scissors to form tail feathers. Tuck in the other end of the nose to form beak. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown. Combine honey butter ingredients; brush over the hot rolls. Return to the oven for 3 minutes. With a toothpick, make small holes for the beak and eyes. Insert a slivered almond for the beak and currants for eyes. Serve with remaining honey butter if desired. Yield: 16 rolls.