Soft Dinner Rolls (sooooo good)

 Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo3cDGGI140

Source #2 (about Shaping):

Cook's Illustrated, All-Time Best Thanksgiving Recipe 2022

Time: 4 hours

SQUISHY MILK BREAD ROLLS

MILK PASTE OR TANGZHONG STARTER
45g MILK or rough 1/4C.
45g WATER or rough 1/4C. 
15g AP FLOUR 2 TBSP

DOUGH
325g AP FLOUR or 2 2/3C
35g SUGAR or 1/3C. 
5g YEAST or 1 TSP
110g WARMISH MILK (86F) or 1/2C.
8g SALT or 1.5 TSP (kosher)
1 EGG
60g SOFTENED BUTTER or 3 TBSP

EGG WASH (1 Egg + 1 TBSP milk stirred together) 

DIRECTIONS:

TANGZHONG

 1. Bring the 45g milk and 45g water to a simmer, whisk in 15g AP flour

 2. Cook this paste stirring constantly for 30 seconds until no longer lumpy and  it has become thickened.

Set aside to cool for 10 minutes

DOUGH 

3. In stand mixer bowl combine milk, yeast, sugar, Salt, egg, flour, tangzhong starter, and mix on medium low speed until combined

 4. Slowly add in softened butter 1 small piece at a time until creamed into dough

 5. Mix on high speed for additional 1 minute and then let rise on counter for 90-ish minutes, covered. 

SHAPING 

Method 01

6. Divide into 9- 75g dough balls

7. Roll tightly and place seam side down spread 3x3 pcs in an 8"x8" cake pan (about 3 inches deep)

OR (from the Cook's Illustrated TG guide)

Method 02

(Grease 9-inch round cake pan and set aside)

6.  Divide into 12 - 55g dough rectangles about 8" x 2"

7. Starting on short side, roll dough to form snug cylinder and arrange shaped rolls seam side down in prepared pan, placing 10 rolls around edge of pan, pointing inward and remaining 2 rolls in center.

PROOFING & BAKING 

Method 01

8. Cover and let proof on counter for 90 more minutes or roughly 2 to 2.5 times larger

 9. Brush with eggwash
( 1 egg plus 1 tbsp milk stirred together) and bake at 350 for 20-20 minutes (bake dark)

Method 02

8. Oven to 375º, rack in lowest position

9. Bake until deep golden borwn 25 to 30 min

Let cool. for 3 minutes, then pop out of pan and flip them facing up & brush with melted butter

They should be fully cooled (resist eating them!) for at least 1 hour.

Serve all stuck together and let eaters pull them apart.