Ice Box Rolls are a classic American yeast roll recipe popular throughout the early and mid-20th century, when home bakers often prepared dough ahead of time and stored it in the refrigerator until baking day. The “ice box” referred to the refrigerator, allowing busy cooks to prepare fresh bread with less last-minute work. This recipe uses lard for tenderness and a small amount of sugar for flavor and browning, creating soft, fluffy rolls with a lightly sweet taste. Refrigerated dough develops flavor while making meal preparation easier. These rolls are especially beloved for holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, and family gatherings because they can be shaped in advance and baked fresh just before serving.
Ingredients
- ½ cup lard
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 cake fresh yeast (or 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast)
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 10 cups all-purpose flour (divided (approximately))
Instructions
Step 1: Dissolve the Lard Mixture
- Combine the lard, sugar, salt, and 1 cup water in a saucepan.
- Heat until the lard dissolves completely.
- When dissolved add another cup of water.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
Step 2: Prepare the Yeast
- Dissolve the yeast in 1 cup lukewarm water.
- Place the yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
- When the lard mixture has cooled to lukewarm temperature, add it to the yeast mixture.
Step 4: Add Initial Flour
- Stir in 5 cups of flour.
- Beat until smooth.
Step 5: Form the Dough
- Add about 5 more cups of flour, or enough to make a soft dough.
Step 6: Knead the Dough
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
Step 7: Refrigerate
- Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before baking.
Step 8: Shape the Rolls
- Form the dough into balls or desired shapes.
- Place on greased baking pans.
Step 9: Rise
- Cover and allow the rolls to rise in a warm, draft-free place until light and doubled.
Step 10: Bake
- Bake in a warm oven at 450°F for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Tips
- Substitute butter or shortening for lard if desired.
- Brush baked rolls with melted butter for a softer crust.
- Add an egg for richer dinner rolls.
- Shape into cloverleaf rolls for holidays.
- Refrigerate the dough overnight for deeper flavor.
- Sprinkle tops with sesame or poppy seeds.
- Use whole wheat flour for up to one-third of the flour.
- Freeze shaped rolls before the final rise.
- Add herbs such as rosemary or thyme for savory rolls.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 65mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10IUCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.2mg