Make-Ahead Buttery, Flaky Overnight Crescent Dinner Rolls

Make-Ahead Buttery, Flaky Overnight Crescent Dinner Rolls is a roll recipe built around warm water, evaporated milk and granulated sugar. Plan on 32 rolls and about 395 minutes.

• Yield 32 rolls
• Ready in 395 minutes
• Prep 380 minutes
• Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup + 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup salted butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup salted butter (chilled)
• Melted butter for brushing dough and baked rolls

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl or 4-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together the water, evaporated milk, sugar, yeast, salt, egg, and 1 cup of the flour. Add the melted butter and mix until a smooth batter forms. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add the remaining 4 cups flour. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the 1/2 cup chilled butter into the flour. Toss the flour and butter together until evenly combined. Alternately, you can cut the butter into cubes and cut it into the flour using a pastry blender or two butter knives (or forks) until the butter is in pea-sized pieces.
3. Pour the yeast mixture over the flour/butter and use a fork or spatula to mix until the dough starts to come together. Mix just until the dough forms a rough, lumpy ball and the flour is evenly moistened (see tutorial above).
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours and up to 3-4 days.
5. When ready to make rolls, divide the chilled dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece (or one at a time, depending on how many rolls you want to make - the remaining dough can go back in the fridge) into an 11- or 12-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick or slightly less than. It should be fairly thin. Brush the dough circle with a tablespoon or two of melted butter.
6. Cut the circle into 8 equal pieces. Roll each wedge into a crescent shape starting at the wide end. Place the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet a few inches apart. Cover lightly with a towel or greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 12-15 minutes until golden and baked through. Out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter, if desired.

Cool the bake on a rack until the crumb sets, then slice.