ICEBOX ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water.
• Sprinkle yeast into water.
• Allow to stand until yeast is dissolved and begins to bubble (or proof).
• Add oil, poppy seeds (if using) and 3 1/2 cups of the flour.
• Stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well mixed.
• At this point, the mixture will be the consistency of a mash.
• Continue to add flour in batches until mixture becomes too stiff to easily stir.
• Turn out mixture onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking to surface or hands.
• When dough is "ready", it should be smooth, supple and stretchy.
• Grease a medium bowl.
• Form dough into a ball.
• Place in greased bowl, turning to coat ball on all sides.
• Cover bowl with a clean dish towel and put in a warm, draft-free place to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
• I like to place my bowl in the oven with just the light on.
• When doubled, punch dough down and slap it around to get out all the air bubbles.
• At this point, dough can be refrigerated for future use or divided and formed into the desired shape (ie. dinner rolls, cloverleaf rolls, hamburger buns, etc.).
• Once formed, place on ungreased cookie sheet, cover again and allow dough to rise until doubled again which will take about 1/2 hour (longer if dough was refrigerated).
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. The larger the roll, the longer it will take to bake it.