Tag Archives: Kay Badertscher Bass

Grandma Kohler’s Triple-Treat Sweet Roll Dough

Like My Mother Made

My husband doesn’t spend a lot of time wallowing in nostalgia for the foods that his mother cooked. But he has frequently mentioned his mother’s cinnamon rolls, so I figured I’d better find a recipe that could replicate Agnes Badertscher’s cinnamon rolls, which were actually made from a sweet roll dough.  What I got was both a surprise and a bonus of three recipes in one, including a loaf of just about the best white bread I’ve ever had.

Sweet white bread

White sweet bread loaf from Grandma Kohler’s sweet roll recipe.

I contacted Kay Badertscher Bass, Ken’s sister, who has written here before about vintage Badertscher recipes and about the Dalton Dariette run by their uncle.  She knew immediately what rolls her brother was talking about, and informed me that they were actually from a sweet dough recipe of Ken’s Grandmother, Helen Kohler. Even better, I thought, a three generation recipe I could pass on to my grand daughter as I did my own grandmother Anderson’s sugar cookie recipe.

Kay went digging for the sweet roll dough recipe, and soon I got the following e-mail, which sheds light on the history of the yeast dough. Turns out it yields three or four different types of sweet rolls, if you would be overwhelmed by three dozen cinnamon rolls and want variety.  Here’s Kay’s message that describes a novel way to help along the rising sweet roll dough.

The Original Sweet Roll Dough Recipe

Okay, I think I’ve unearthed what you are looking for.  It’s called New Year’s Bread* and it is an OLD recipe.  I recall Mom and Grandma Kohler getting together and making this recipe in batches for coffee cake, dinner rolls and sticky buns.  The most distinct memory was how Grandma Kohler asked Mom to put boiling water in both sides of the kitchen sink to sit and then placed the dough underneath the sink in the cabinet, covered with cloth towels to rise.  (and I also remember getting scolded royally when I kept opening the cabinet doors to see what was happening)
Here’s the basic bread recipe:
2 c. scalded milk
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. Crisco
2 pkg. (2 T.) yeast
1/2 c. warm water
2 eggs, beaten
6 – 7 c. flour

Pour scaled milk over sugar, salt, butter and Crisco.  Set aside.  Then mix yeast in warm water.  Add the yeast mixture and eggs to milk mixture.  Add enough flour to make soft dough, knead, let rise.

Depending upon what you decide to make with the dough, the instructions are to bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 40 min. (which may or may not be accurate) (NOTE: It is NOT accurate. It does not take that long. See recipe adaptation below.)

If making dinner rolls brush tops with butter after taking them out of the oven.

The streusel topping was a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and a little flour….of course, no measurements!  Grandma Kohler used to divide the coffee cake dough in half and put some of the streusel in the middle as well as the top.

The sticky buns were usually made by rolling out the dough into a rectangle, sprinkling the streusel mix over the dough and then rolling up into a log.  Grandma Kohler would dust the bottom of the pan with lots of butter and a little streusel and then place the rolls on top and dust them with a little more streusel before baking.

Sorry this isn’t more specific.  Mom and Grandma Kohler used the “by gosh and by golly” method of baking with a pinch of this and a handful of that.  But we grandkids loved that coffee cake just as much as Ken, I’m certain!  Probably why Grandma finally switched to the frozen bread dough in the latter years cause we asked for it constantly.

Well, that’s shocking!! the traditional way of making a vintage family recipe three generations ago was frozen bread dough??? That certainly plays hob with our assumptions of what is vintage, doesn’t it?

*One thing still puzzles us.  Grandma Kohler called the recipe New Year’s Bread, but she did not make a braided bread that is the tradition in Swiss and German New Year’s Breads.  I checked out my vintage Sonnenberg Centennial cookbook, and found the recipe for New Year’s Bread which is only slightly different, so next time I make this recipe, I may experiment with a braided loaf. Wish me luck.

At any rate, I blended some of the instructions in the Sonnenberg book (from a recipe submitted by a close friend of Agnes Badertscher) and I made Kohler’s recipe for sweet roll dough (before she turned to frozen bread dough), and enjoyed making a pretty big batch of dough.  I made a dozen cinnamon rolls, a dozen cloverleaf rolls and one delicious free-form loaf.

Sweet roll dough

Grandma Kohler’s sweet roll dough BEFORE rising! you can see by the 2-cup measure on the side that this is a large amount of dough.

Cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon rolls from Grandma Kohler’s sweet roll dough.

Ken looked at the rolls and immediately said those words every wife dreads–“Not like my mother’s.”  When I turned it over and showed him the side where I had sprinkled granola, obscuring the coils of the cinnamon roll, he said, “That looks more like it.”  Then he gave it the taste test.  Really good, he said. But that is not my mother’s coffee cake.

What we have here is a failure to communicate.  He apparently was thinking of his mother’s baking-powder raised coffee cake with streusel on top rather than the more elaborate yeast dough that goes into the sweet rolls.

Oh well, nothing lost.  He (and I) enjoyed every bit of the cinnamon rolls, sweet dinner rolls and white bread that the sweet roll dough provided.

Adapted Sweet Roll Dough Recipe

Here is the sweet roll dough recipe–hopefully a little clearer than the “by gosh and by golly” instructions that came directly from grandma Kohler and Ken’s mother.

Do not be intimidated by the length of the recipe. Remember, I am trying to give you fairly detailed instructions for making THREE kinds of breads.

THANK YOU KAY!

Sweet Roll Dough – Cinnamon Rolls, Dinner Rolls, Bread

Serves 36
Prep time 3 hours
Cook time 45 minutes
Total time 3 hours, 45 minutes
Allergy Egg, Milk, Wheat
Meal type Bread, Breakfast
Misc Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable
A tried and true family recipe yields cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls or loaves of white bread.

Ingredients

proofing yeast

  • 2 packets active dry yeast (Equivalent: 4 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 cup warm water (Comfortable to drop on wrist.)
  • 1 heaped teaspoon sugar (for proofing yeast)

dough

  • 1/2 cup sugar (for dough)
  • 6-7 cups flour (plus more for kneading and patting out dough.)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
  • 2 cups milk (heat just short of boiling)
  • 2 eggs (beaten lightly)

Cinnamon roll topping

  • 1/2 cup butter (melted)
  • 6 tablespoons white sugar
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon

Cinnamon roll topping (Optional)

  • 1/3 cup granola cereal or chopped nuts

Directions

Proof yeast
1. Sprinkle yeast on warm water in 2-cup container.Briefly mix in teaspoon of sugar. Set aside.
Mix dough
2. Blend dry ingredients--3 cups of the flour, 1/2 C sugar, salt.
3. Heat milk with butter and vegetable shortening and cool to lukewarm.
4. With electric mixer in large bowl, beat the dry ingredients (with the 3 cups of flour) and and the hot milk/shortening mixture until batter is smooth.
5. Add the yeast (which will have risen if it is active) and the eggs and stir with spoon until blended into very sticky dough.
6. Work remaining flour into dough with fingers, 1/2-1 cup at a time until the dough no longer sticks to fingers. Use as much of the 3 cups as you need.
7. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead until springy and elastic.
Mix dough.
8. Shape into a ball, and place in greased mixing bowl. Put the smooth side down first, and then turn the dough that all surfaces are oily. (You can use the same bowl you mixed the dough in if you first scrape out most of the dried dough sticking to the surface.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tea towel.
9. Let rise until doubled in warm, draft-free location. ( 1 to 2 hours)
Shaping rolls
10. Divide the dough into two or three pieces. Put the pieces you are not working with in the refrigerator.
11. For Cinnamon rolls, pat out the dough to a rough rectangle, then roll out (if you use 1/3 of the dough it will be about 14" x 18". )
Baking rolls
12. Grease 9 x 9 square pan or large pie pan, or cookie sheet for cinnamon rolls and mix the sugars and cinnamon for topping. If you are using granola or nuts, sprinkle them on the bottom of the pan.
13. Brush the top of the dough rectangle with melted butter, and sprinkle on the sugar-cinnamon mixture.
14. Roll the dough up from one long side to make a log and pinch closed the seam.
15. Using a very sharp knife or a piece of unwaxed dental floss, cut one-inch pieces from the log.
Baking Rolls
16. Place the rolls on the pan. If you use a cookie sheet and leave space between they will be crusty. If you place the side by side in a pan they will be softer on the sides. Cover with a tea towel and set aside to rise.
Baking rolls
17. When the rolls have risen by a third to double their original height (30-45 minutes), bake in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes (longer for glass pans).
Dinner rolls
18. To make dinner rolls, shape one batch of dough as you wish--clover leaf by placing three walnut-sized pieces of dough in a muffin tin; Parker house by placing balls of dough side by side in cake pan, etc. Place in buttered pan. Let rise and bake as for cinnamon rolls. When they come out of the oven, brush the tops with butter.
Free form loaf of bread
19. To make a free form loaf of bread, make a rectangle as described for the cinnamon rolls. Fold the dough over in thirds lengthwise, pinch the seam closed, and fold under the ends to make a nice shape. Place with seam side down on greased cookie sheet. Raise and bake as described for other rolls, except that it may take a little longer. Test doneness by knocking with knuckles to see if you get a hollow sound. Brush top of bread with butter when it comes out of oven.

Note

The 1/2 cup of butter is more than enough for the cinnamon rolls if you are making 1/3 of the recipe into cinnamon rolls. I used the rest to butter the pans and to brush on the top of the dinner rolls and the bread.

If you are making more than 1/3 of the dough into cinnamon rolls, increase the sugar/cinnamon ratios for the topping.

I have described the three things I did with this dough. Making a good sized loaf of bread, a dozen cloverleaf dinner rolls and a dozen cinnamon rolls. Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from making all cinnamon rolls, all dinner rolls, or whatever you wish. The bread and dinner rolls should freeze nicely. The cinnamon rolls are problematic because of the sugar. And of course you can add raisins or dried fruit or seeds or nuts to the dinner rolls and bread.

This is a recipe with tremendous flexibility.

Have fun!

 

Holiday Recipe: Agnes Badertscher’s Cranberry Jell-o Salad

Cranberry jell-o salad

Once again, my sister-in-law Kay Badertscher Bass contributes a family recipe from her mother, Agnes Bair Badertscher’s recipe box. Although in their house it was a traditional Thanksgiving dish, because of its cheerful red color and “snow-covered” top, I’m suggesting Cranberry Jell-o Salad for Christmas, too. If it sounds too sweet for a salad, it makes a lovely light dessert. Thanks for the contribution, Kay.

Kay says:

One of the favorite (and still requested each year) recipes for Thanksgiving and the holidays is the Jell-o salad Mom used to make. The  Jell-o flavor would change year-to-year, but the majority of the time Mom would chose strawberry. She would use two boxes of Jell-o and pour the hot liquid into a deep dish 13 x 9 pan. The key, she said, was to use only half of the cold water the box of Jell-o recommends adding after the Jell-o has dissolved.

Cranberry salad Food Chopper

Grandma Kohler’s Food Chopper

Mom would freeze a bag of fresh cranberries. It was my job to get the hand cranked nut chopper (an antique from Grandma [Ida] Badertscher) to chop those icy marbles into fine bits.

[Note: What a difference between this and the food chopper that my mother used for her cranberry relish.]

Vintage food grinder

Vintage food grinder

 

 

 

She [Agnes Badertscher] would also chop fresh celery (which my husband nixes), add a 20 ounce can of pineapple chunks (drained) and chopped pecans to taste. Stir all of these ingredients into the liquid jello and refrigerate several hours. (side note: some years we also added a fresh orange – chopped just like the cranberries)

 

Cranberry jello salad topping

Mixing the topping

However, it was the topping over the jello that made the dish! After the jello solidifies, spread this topping generously. It is even good enough to eat as a sort of custard for dessert, provided you have any left over.

 

 

 

Agnes Badertscher’s Cranberry Jell-o Salad

Serves 16
Allergy Egg, Milk, Tree Nuts
Meal type Dessert, Salad
Misc Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion Christmas, Thanksgiving

Ingredients

  • 2 packets Jell-0 (two 6-oz boxes)
  • 2 cups water (boiling)
  • 1 cup water (cold)
  • 20oz pineapple chunks
  • 1 celery stalk (chopped fine)
  • 12oz cranberries (raw, frozen and ground fine)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 egg (slightly beaten)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup whipped topping

Directions

Jell-o
1. Scatter Jell-o in 9 x 13 pan and pour in 2 cups boiling water. Stir until thoroughly dissolved
2. Add one cup cold water and stir. Put in refrigerator and chill until thickened
3. Grind frozen cranberries and add to thickened Jell-o. Drain pineapple, saving juice. Add pineapple, chopped celery and nuts to jello and stir.
4. Cranberry Jell-o Salad
Replace Jell-o dish in refrigerator to set.
Topping
5. Combine sugar, flour, pineapple juice and egg in saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until thickened.
6. Add pat of butter, and stir in.
7. Cool topping mixture in refrigerator until completely cool. Fold in whipped topping.
Finish
8. Spread topping on Jell-o. If desired decorate with halves of nuts. Cut in squares and serve on lettuce leaves or plain.

Kay Badertscher BassAll photos courtesy of Kay Badertscher Bass

4 Generations Approve Badertscher Banana Bread

A few weeks ago, I talked to Gloria Badertscher Miller, my husband’s cousin, about her memories of the Badertscher family. She talked about a cookbook with hand written recipes in the back, and about a planned visit to the Kidron-Sonnenberg Heritage Center, where she would obtain some family memoir books for me. And then on June 29, I learned that Gloria had died. But because of her warm spirit and open heart, Gloria will live on with those who knew her. I am so happy to welcome back Ken’s sister Kay who had also recently visited with Gloria, and shares this memory.

By Kay Badertscher Bass

“Don’t touch those ripe bananas,” I exclaimed in a stern tone to my husband. Great plans awaited those black beauties.

Gloria Badertscher Miller

Gloria Badertscher Miller

A rare cool front was predicted for our area of Texas in mid-July with much needed rain. On top of that was the timing of its arrival – a weekend. It was time to bake banana bread using a recipe from my recently deceased cousin, Gloria Badertscher Miller (1927-2013). After all, this recipes has been tested by four generations.

As the skies remained overcast and rain gently began to fall, I reminisced about my last visit with my precious cousin. My heart overflowed with her shared wisdom, humor and family stories. Meanwhile, the house began to fill with the delicious aroma of baking bread.

Gloria received the recipe from her mother, Gertrude Steiner Badertscher (1905-1988). Gertrude was married to Uncle Monroe, my father’s older brother. I always looked forward to visits at their home in Killbuck, Ohio. Uncle Monroe always had a good story to share coupled with his hearty laughter, but it was Aunt Gertrude’s kitchen creations that excited me most.

Gertrude and her daughter Gloria shared a common personality of true ladylike manners, impeccable taste and exceptional culinary skills. At the yearly Badertscher reunions I would eagerly await Gertrude’s and Gloria’s arrivals, taking mental notes of which dishes they prepared and eagerly awaiting my first delicious bite.

During our last visit in Walnut Creek, Ohio,  Gloria shared with me her first cookbook, a thick, dark green vintage cookbook which belonged to her Mother. Gloria began her culinary craftsmanship at the early age of eight by tackling a recipe from that cookbook. A recipe for peanut butter cookies was not the easiest, but with a little help and encouragement from her Mother she was able to mix and conquer.

Badertscher Banana Bread

Gertrude Badertscher and Gloria Miller’s Banana Bread

In the back of the book, among hand-written recipes, was one passed on by Gertrude for banana bread. When she became a mother, living in Millersburg Ohio, Gloria made it for her sons. The banana bread recipe was Gloria’s grandson, John Miller’s, favorite. Four generations–one recipe.

Gloria also shared a little secret related to her banana bread recipe: freeze the bananas. She claimed the freezing process added extra moisture to the recipe. After trying her suggestion, I must concur.

Because John does not like nuts she would omit them from the recipe. I’ve made the bread with and without nuts and it is delicious either way.

Gertrude’s Banana Bread

Gertrude’s Banana Bread
Recipe Type: Bread
Cuisine: American
Author: Kay Badertscher Bass
Badertscher Family Banana Bread enjoyed by four generations
Ingredients
  • 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
  • 1/2 teaspoon soda
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups sifted flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts – optional
Instructions
  1. Mix all of the above ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake in a slow oven (325 degrees F.) for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Notes
A side note from the author: I’ve always held to the philosophy that all things taste better with chocolate. I suggest adding 1/3 cup chocolate chips to the above recipe, stirring them into the batter at the last minute before baking.

 

 Thanks, Kay, for sharing this family recipe and your memories of Gloria.