Whole Wheat Molasses Rolls
 
Makes 12
Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm water (105° to 110°)
  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2¼ cups whole wheat flour, divided
  • 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pumpkin seeds
  • 1½ teaspoons sunflower seeds
Instructions
  1. Spray a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with cooking spray.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 1 cup warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let stand until mixture is foamy, about 10 minutes.
  3. With mixer on medium speed, add all-purpose flour, brown sugar, molasses, honey, cocoa, butter, egg, and 2 teaspoons salt, beating until combined, about 2 minutes. Switch to the dough hook attachment. Add 1 cup wheat flour, and beat for 2 minutes. Add remaining 1¼ cups wheat flour, and beat until dough is smooth and pulls away from sides of bowl, about 2 minutes.
  4. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, 4 to 5 times. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let stand in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
  5. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 pieces, and shape into balls; place in prepared skillet. Brush with egg white. In a small bowl, stir together oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over rolls. Cover and let stand in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until puffed, about 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes.
Recipe by Taste of the South at https://tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/whole-wheat-mollasses-rolls/