One yeast cake, dissolved in four tablespoonfuls of water, mix thoroughly
And then add
Three and three-quarter pints or seven and one-half cupfuls of sifted flour.
Work to a smooth elastic dough, grease a clean bowl and place the dough in it. Turn several times to coat the dough thoroughly with the shortening. This prevents a crust from forming. Set in a place free from drafts and let rise for three and one-half hours, then punch down and turn over. Let rise one and one-quarter hours. Punch again and then let rise three-quarters of an hour. Now turn on the pastry board and mould into a long strip not quite as thick as the rolling pin. Break the dough off into pieces weighing about one and one-half ounces. Form into balls and then cover and let spring or rise for ten minutes; take a ball of the dough and round it well on the board, then flatten slightly with the palm of the hand. Now mark a decided crease with the back of a knife down the centre of the roll. Fold over in pocketbook style, patting the turn in the roll hard with the hand. Lay on well-greased tins, brushing the rolls with shortening. Let rise for twenty minutes and then wash with egg and bake in a hot oven.
FINGER OR SANDWICH ROLLS
Use the Parker House roll dough, cutting it into pieces one and one-half ounces in weight. Mould into balls and then set on a board and cover for ten minutes to let spring. Now mould into finger shapes and place on greased pans and proceed as in Parker House rolls.
FLUKES
Prepare as for finger rolls, pointing the dough at both ends by rolling into a shape similar to a sweet potato.
BRAIDS
Break off pieces of the dough three-quarters of an ounce in weight and then mould into balls and let spring for five minutes. Now mould out into rope-shaped pieces a little longer than a lead pencil. Fasten the three pieces together and then plait. Process as for finger rolls.