Grandma T's Bread Dough
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This right here, friends, is one of those tried-and-true, old-fashioned recipes that have stood the test of time.
You know the kind of recipe I mean—the one passed down through generations, scribbled on a flour-dusted recipe card and tucked inside a well-loved cookbook.
This dough recipe comes straight from Farmer Kyle’s Grandma T. She knew how to make the most of what she had, creating simple, delicious meals without wasting a thing. ❤
Over the years, this recipe has become a staple in our kitchen. We use it for dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, kolaches, stuffed rolls, and homemade bread. It’s reliable, versatile, and perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned bread makers alike. Once you try it, I think you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.
Hi I'm Mindy!
Homesteader, mama, and home-cook since the ’90s. I share simple, heart-filled meals, raw milk wisdom, free range chickens, and encouragement for the everyday mama. So glad you’re here friend!
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Find the recipes linked below for you to print out -pick what version will work for you!
There's versions with short and sweet, cliffs notes instructions & the others have a little more detail. Homemade doesn't have to be too hard or complicated, and we all start somewhere!
Let me know what you make friend❤
Yield & Prep Time
Yield: approx. 24 dinner rolls or 12 cinnamon rolls (depending how you shape/cut them)
Prep Time: 20 min
Rise Time: 2-3 hours (depending on temp in your kitchen)
Bake Time: 15-20 mins
Total Time: 2hr 35min - 3hr 40min
Kitchen Tools Needed to Make This Dough
- Stand Mixer, Hand Mixer, Bread Maker or Danish Whisk for combining ingredients
- Large Bowl
- 9x13 baking pan (I prefer glass)
- Butter and flour for greasing, or parchment paper for easy release
- Oven preheated to 350°F
If you’re an Amazon shopper – here’s a shopping list with a few of my fav baking tools!
The Tools: Old School or Modern—It’s Your Call
You can make this dough completely by hand with a Danish whisk, wooden spoon, or even your own two hands. There’s something special about mixing and kneading dough yourself, watching simple ingredients come together into something nourishing.
That said, this recipe works just as well with modern kitchen helpers. Whether you use a stand mixer, dough hooks, or a bread machine on the dough setting, it’s designed to fit your routine.
And don't feel like you need fancy equipment—I found my bread machine at Goodwill for about $10, and it's been a faithful helper ever since. We’re big believers in using what you have and making it work! (I only use the 'dough' setting and then shape my rolls to bake them in the oven.)
Grandma T's Dough Ingredients Needed
- 1 & 1/2cups Warm Water
- 1/4cup + 1Tbs Sugar
- 1pkg (2&1/4 tsp) Fast Rise Yeast
- 1 Egg
- 1/4cup Lard
- 2pats of Butter
- Pinch of Salt
- 4cups Wheat Bread Flour
Our Favorite Flour for Baking
One of the secrets to this amazing dough is starting with exceptional flour. After years of searching for the perfect flour to stock in our Farm Store, we found it! We love the organic bread and all-purpose flours from Niobrara Grain + Milling out of Valentine, Nebraska.
Their wheat is organically grown and milled on a traditional Unifine Mill, creating an incredibly fine, fluffy flour that produces light, airy baked goods with wonderful texture and flavor.
If you're local, stop by the Farm Store and pick up a bag! Not nearby? We also offer an amazing Organic Heritage Wheat Flour from a fourth-generation Minnesota family farm, also milled in small batches on a Unifine Mill. Order Sunrise Flour Mill items through our Online Farmers Market Shop and have it delivered right to your door.
Ready to get baking?
We’ve included printable versions of the recipe so you can pick what works best for you. There’s a short and sweet version for when you just need the bullet points (we call that the “cliffs notes” version), and a longer, more detailed version if you’re new to bread baking or just like having all the info in one place.
Because here’s the truth: homemade doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. It just has to be real. And starting somewhere is better than never starting at all. You’ll learn with every batch, and soon enough, you’ll be whipping out rolls, buns, and beautiful baked creations like it’s second nature.
And the best part? You’ll have a new go-to recipe that brings warmth, comfort, and joy to your kitchen and your table—just like it did for Grandma T.
So give it a try, friend. Let me know what you make, what flour you use, and how it turns out! Whether you’re baking for your family, your neighbors, or just yourself on a quiet morning—you’re part of something timeless and good. And that, to me, is what makes homemade so special ♥️
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Good food brings people together. I'd love to hear how this recipe turned out for you! Share your tips, substitutions, questions, or family memories in the comments below.