This St. Patrick’s Day, you might consider making this traditional Irish recipe—the potato roll. Seemingly classic to American cuisine, this recipe comes to the United States by way of Irish immigrants. Sugar plays an essential role (pardon our pun!) in this recipe. First, it acts as food for the yeast in order for the yeast to properly ferment and assist the rolls in rising. And in addition, it adds a touch of sweetness to the rolls’ flavor. 

Try out this Simply Recipes take on potato rolls to celebrate!  

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water, room temperature 
• 2 1/4 teaspoon (1 packet) active-dry or instant yeast 
• 1 teaspoon plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided 
• 1 cup mashed potatoes 
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted and cooled 
• 2 large eggs 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

For honey butter topping: 

• 1/4 cup salted butter, room temperature 
• 2 tablespoons honey 

Directions

1. Proof the yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, the yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Set aside for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture looks bubbly. If the mixture doesn’t start to bubble, then your yeast has likely expired and it’s best to start over with new yeast.
2. Mix the dough: Add the remaining sugar, mashed potatoes, milk, butter, eggs, rosemary, and salt to the bowl with the yeast mixture and stir with a spatula until smooth. Add 4 1/2 cups of the flour and mix until you form a shaggy dough.
3. Knead the dough: With a dough hook attachment (or on the counter, if kneading by hand) knead on medium-low for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth, forms a ball around the dough hook, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl (it’s fine if the dough sticks to the bottom of the bowl). If the dough is still sticking to the sides after few minutes of kneading, add in a little more flour 2 tablespoons at a time.
4. Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place somewhere warm for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
5. Shape the dough into rolls: Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Turn the dough the out onto lightly floured surface and cut into 16 to 20 equal pieces. Roll the dough into small balls, and place seam side down in the baking dish.
6. Cover and let the rolls rise until puffed and nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour: About 15 minutes before the rolls are ready, heat the oven to 350F.
7. Bake for the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top and register 200F on the inside when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
8. Brush the rolls with honey butter: In a small dish, mix together 1/4 cup room temperature butter and 2 tablespoons honey until smooth. Brush tops of baked rolls with mixture, then sprinkle with salt. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe source: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/potato_dinner_rolls/