Cuban Rolls

I actually used a recipe for Cuban bread and cut the dough into 12 pieces.  My family likes to eat rolls with their supper.  I was reading a book where the main character was making Cuban bread, so I had to try it.  The recipe calls for lard.  Now under normal circumstances,  I would not use any, but I made an exception.  I used Crisco.  It is easier to use a stand mixer.  I don't have one, so I used a regular electric mixer.  (It became a bit messy, so I put the bowl in the sink and mixed that way)          A tasty bread!


1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
1  1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees)
2 cups bread flour (see bottom of recipe page for homemade directions)
2 cups all - purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt (you could get away with 1)
1/4 cup lard (melted in the microwave)
2 tablespoons warm water (to brush on loaves before baking)

• Grease a large bowl and set aside
• In a smaller bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup of warm water.  Place bowl in a warm place and let stand until it begins to foam and double in volume. (about 10 minutes)
• Take a 1/4 cup of lard and place it in microwavable container.  heat in the microwave on high for up to 90 seconds, until melted.
• Place the water/yeast/sugar mixture in a bowl and add the warm water and salt.  Mix until well blended.
• Sift together both flours in a bowl.  You will use approximately 3  1/4 cups of sifted flour in the following steps. (keep the rest of the flour for later)
• Gradually add the flour mixture, a little at a time to the wet ingredients.  Mix constantly.  At the same time, gradually add the melted lard.  Keep adding the flour and a little lard until all the lard is added.
• Continue adding more flour until you make a smooth and pliable dough.   Add enough flour to make the dough elastic.  (to much flour and your dough will be to dense.)
• If you have a stand mixer, set on low speed and knead for 3 to 4 minutes. **If you don't have one,  turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Pound the dough ball down and knead by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it into the original greased bowl.  Flip the dough until it it is greased on all sides.
• Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and place in a warm place.  (I set my oven to 170 degrees. Once it reaches that temperature, I turn it off)  Let the dough rise until it doubles in size - about 45 - 60 minutes.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board.  Sprinkle some flour on the dough and use a rolling pin to roll it out. 
• Cut the dough into 12 pieces.  Roll each piece like a cigar and with wet fingers, fold the ends under.  Place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Place dough in a warm spot and allow it to rise until it is about 2  1/2 times it's original size (about 45-60 minutes)
• Preheat oven to 450 bake.  Place a pan of water on the lowest rack in the oven. (don't be surprised if the oven begins steaming.  Don't get your face to close to the oven as you open the door)
• With a sharp knife, cut a shallow seam down the middle of the top of the rolls
• Brush the roll with water and place in the oven on the middle shelf.  
• Brush some water on top of the rolls.  Repeat 5 minutes later.  (only once)
• Bake until light brown and crusty.  (15+ minutes)

My God, this is a long recipe!!

-Queenie Cuisine

**To make bread flour, you will need:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons wheat gluten
• A large mixing bowl
• A spoon or fork

1. Gather the ingredients. You will need the ingredients listed above to make bread flour. Gather together the all-purpose flour, the wheat gluten, one large mixing bowl and one mixing utensil, such as a spoon or fork.
2. Mix the ingredients. Place the flour in the large bowl. Add a teaspoon at a time of wheat gluten, mixing it into the flour.  Or, you could just buy it.......