Soft, buttery homemade turkey shaped dinner rolls baked together into a pull-apart turkey. A fun Thanksgiving bread centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks.
1 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant or active dry yeast
3 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, room temperature
3½ to 3¾ cups all-purpose flour
1¼ teaspoons fine salt
1 egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk)
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
2 whole black peppercorns or cloves
1 small triangle carrot sliver
1 small piece red bell pepper strip
Stir the warm milk, honey, and yeast together in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Whisk in the melted butter and egg. Add the salt and 3 cups of flour and stir until shaggy. Add more flour a few tablespoons at a time until a soft dough pulls away from the bowl.
Knead on a lightly floured counter for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and springy. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled.
Punch down the dough. Pinch off one piece about the size of a small orange for the body and one the size of a golf ball for the head. Divide the rest into 12 to 14 equal pieces for the feathers and roll everything into smooth balls.
On a parchment-lined sheet pan, arrange the feather rolls in a tight half circle. Place the body in the center, overlapping the feathers slightly, and set the head just in front of the body. Leave a tiny gap between balls so they bake together.
Cover loosely and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy. Heat the oven to 375°F.
Brush everything with egg wash. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes until deep golden and the center roll reaches 190°F. Tent with foil after 15 minutes if the edges brown quickly.
Brush with melted salted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Once slightly cooled, press in the peppercorn eyes, carrot beak, and red pepper wattle.
Milk should be about 110°F, warm but not hot.
Keep the dough balls touching so the turkey bakes as one loaf.
Add the eyes, beak, and wattle after baking.
Shape the night before and refrigerate for an easy Thanksgiving morning.
Find it online: https://recipeshots.com/turkey-shaped-dinner-rolls/