How to Make School Lunchroom Cafeteria Rolls - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something comforting and nostalgic about the rolls that were served in school lunchroom cafeterias. These soft, fluffy, slightly sweet rolls were the perfect accompaniment to any lunchtime meal. Whether you paired them with a bowl of chili, a slice of pizza, or a salad, these rolls were a staple of the school lunch experience.

Although many of us have fond memories of these rolls, they can be surprisingly difficult to replicate at home. The texture, flavor, and overall quality...

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • ⅔ cup white sugar
  • 3 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 10 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup shortening
  • ¼ cup butter, melted

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 57 mins
  • Servings: 22
  • Yield: 44 rolls

  • In a large bowl, mix together the warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top, and let it stand for about 10 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
  • Mix the milk, eggs and salt into the yeast. Measure the flour into a separate bowl, add 2/3 cup sugar, and crumble the shortening into it using your fingers until it is barely noticeable. Gradually stir the flour into the wet ingredients. Mix using a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and starts to form a ball around the spoon. Cover with a hot wet towel that has been wrung out, and set in a warm place to rise until double in bulk. This should take about 45 minutes.
  • When the dough has risen, pour the melted butter over it, and knead for about 2 minutes. Let the dough rest for a few minutes, then roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut into 2 inch squares. Roll squares into balls, and place into greased round pans, spacing about 1 inch apart. Let rise again until doubled in size. You could also refrigerate the dough, and let it rise overnight for baking the next day.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake the rolls for about 12 minutes, until golden brown.
  • Nutrition

    282 cal.

    • Total Fat: 6g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 23mg
    • Sodium: 342mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 51g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 7g
    • Calcium: 17mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 91mg