Harvest Home Rolls

Here is a lovely, fluffy, lightly sweet roll to serve at your Mabon meal.

Harvest Home Rolls – Adapted from allrecipes.com
Makes 9-12 rolls, depending on size

½ cup milk, warmed to 110 F
1 package yeast
¼ cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1/8 sugar
½ - 1 tsp. salt
2 ¼- 2 ½ cups unbleached bread flour ( I used KA), plus extra for dusting
1 tablespoon oil
1 egg, beaten, for egg wash

Bloom the yeast in half the milk. I always add just a pinch of sugar at this stage too, maybe ½ tsp. Wait 15 minutes.

Add the rest of the warm milk, melted butter, sugar and salt. Stir to dissolve. Add the beaten egg and stir.

Gradually mix in the flour with a wooden spoon. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, until the dough makes a satiny ball.
Pour a tablespoon of oil into the bowl. Place the ball of dough into the bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a clean towel and leave in a warm place to rise for about an hour, until doubled in size.

After an hour, punch down the dough and let it rise until doubled again, 45-60 minutes.

After the dough has risen a second time, lightly oil your hands and pinch off 12 small balls of dough. Do this by squeezing the dough between the thumb and forefinger of your fist.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Brush beaten egg on top of each roll before baking. Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. The egg wash will make the tops a nice, golden brown.


Kneading dough is an excellent time to infuse it with your intent. Love? Protection? I find that the time passes more quickly when I sing/chant as I'm kneading. "Hoof and Horn" is a favorite of mine because I feel that bread baking also honors gods of grain and agriculture, as well as the cycle of life.

Listening to "John Barleycorn" would also be appropriate. I listened to some Emerald Rose today (www.emeraldrose.com)

Whatever you serve, make the preparation of the meal part of the ritual. Listen to some special, meditative music. Chant. Light a candle as you cook. Say any words that seem appropriate at the time. It's up to you.

You can knead herbs into the bread dough for extra intent, if desired. For example, rosemary would be appropriate at Samhain for remembrance.