Cheddar Cheese Rolls

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Cheddar Cheese Rolls.

1. Step 1

   Start by melting the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. Next, pour in the water and the can of tomato sauce, stirring everything together. Heat this mixture until it reaches a lukewarm temperature, around 110°F (45°C).

2. Step 2

   In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, salt, and the active dry yeast. Pour the warm tomato sauce mixture into the bowl and mix on low speed for about 2 minutes until you have a loose, spongy dough. Then, add one of the room temperature eggs and another cup of flour, mixing on high speed for 2 minutes to develop the gluten. Gradually stir in the remaining 2 cups of flour until fully incorporated.

3. Step 3

   Once the dough is formed, let the mixer knead it on high speed until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you prefer, you can knead it by hand for about 10 minutes. Lightly spray or brush the top of the dough with vegetable oil, cover the bowl with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which should take about 2 hours.

4. Step 4

   After the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it in half. Place one half on a floured surface and cover the other half to prevent it from drying out. Roll the first piece of dough into a rectangle measuring about 9x12 inches, then cut it into 12 squares, each about 3 inches on a side.

5. Step 5

   Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. In the center of each square, place about 2 teaspoons of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese. Fold the squares into triangles, making sure to pinch the edges tightly to seal in the cheesy goodness. Place the filled rolls on the prepared baking sheet and repeat the process with the second piece of dough, yielding about 24 rolls in total. Cover the rolls with a cloth and let them rise until doubled, which should take about 1 hour.

6. Step 6

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, beat the second egg with 1 teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush each roll with this mixture to give them a beautiful golden color as they bake. Place the rolls in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.