Homemade Cafeteria-Style Rolls

Combine warm water and sugar in a large bowl to initiate the mixing process. Allow the yeast to activate by sprinkling it over the water mixture and letting it sit for approximately 10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.

Combine milk, eggs, and salt in the bowl with the yeast mixture. In a separate container, measure out flour and add 2/3 cup of sugar to it. Using your fingers, break down the shortening into fine particles until they are almost undetectable. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a wooden spoon until the dough forms a cohesive ball around the spoon. Cover the bowl with a damp towel that has been wrung out thoroughly, and place it in a warm environment to allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. This process should take around 45 minutes.

Once the dough has risen, pour melted butter over it and knead for approximately 2 minutes. Allow the dough to rest for a short period before rolling it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1 inch. Use a knife to cut the dough into 2-inch squares, then roll each square into a ball. Place these balls into greased round pans, leaving about 1 inch of space between each roll. Allow the dough to rise once more until it has doubled in size.

Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough and let it rise overnight before baking the next day. To bake the rolls, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the rolls in the oven and bake for approximately 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.