Rolls-1-11 Hey all, welcome to my corner of the web!  Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook!
The recipe for Tennis Rolls seems to be the best kept secret.  Not even What’s Cooking In Guyana cookbook has a recipe, and no one seems to know what gives it it’s unique flavor.   

Rolls-1-13Luckily I found the key to Tennis Rolls’ flavor on Tastes Like Home, the blog of Guyanese author Cynthia Nelson.   Thanks Cynthia!   Rolls-1-6I must admit at first I was a bit skeptical, but once I mixed up the dough I was greeted with the undeniable scent.   Let me just say that there’s nothing like the smell of bread baking in the oven, it was simply intoxication.   I had to have one…ok two straight out the oven with butter and the flavor was spot on! I didn’t add too much of the zest and essence because I didn’t want it to overpower the bread.  You can adjust as you feel fit, but I think that this is the perfect amount.  So give it a try and let me know what you think!  Do I have a winner?

Rolls-1

Guyanese Tennis Rolls

3 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp yeast

¾ cup water

½ cup warm milk

¼ cup butter

1 tsp salt

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp lemon zest

½ tsp vanilla

Yields: 12 rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl place warm water and sugar then sprinkle yeast on to and let sit for 10 minutes allow the yeast to proof.   

Add milk, flour, melted butter, lemon zest, vanilla and salt in the mixture with the yeast and mix to form a dough.    Knead for 15 minutes.   A stand up mixer with the dough hook attachment would be an excellent alternative to hand kneading the dough.

 Cover bowl with a cloth, set in a warm place and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until the dough has doubled. 

Remove the dough from the bowl then place on a lightly floured surface.   Knead for 2 minutes to form a smooth ball, this shouldn’t take long.    Next cut the dough into 12 even pieces then roll each piece into even balls.    

Let rise for 35 minutes.  

Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.