The Ultimate Guide to Flaky, Golden Savory Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Ground Sausage or Beef/Pork	1 lb (450g)	Cooked and drained!
Shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar	1 cup (120g)	Any good melting cheese works.
Finely Chopped Onion	$1/4$ cup	Sautéed with the meat for flavor.
Spices	1 tsp Paprika, $1/2$ tsp Black Pepper, $1/4$ tsp Garlic Powder	Season to perfection!

For the Brilliant Golden Glaze (The Shine Factor): 

• 1 large egg yolk

• 1 tablespoon milk or water

• Optional: Sesame or Nigella seeds for topping.

Phase 2: Crafting the Perfect Yeast Dough 

A great roll starts with great dough. Follow these steps for an easy-to-handle, super-soft dough.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast 

In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. It should become frothy and bubbly—this means your yeast is active! If it doesn’t foam, your milk may have been too cold or too hot, and you’ll need to start this step over. 

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients 

Once the yeast is ready, whisk in the softened butter, yogurt, egg, and salt until well combined. The mixture will look a little lumpy, which is fine.

Step 3: Gradually Incorporate the Flour 

Add 4 cups of the flour to the wet mixture. Use a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook to mix until a shaggy dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour (up to $1/2$ cup) until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should be soft, slightly sticky, but manageable. Avoid adding too much flour!

Step 4: Knead for Elasticity 

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. You should be able to press a finger into it, and it slowly springs back.

Step 5: The First Rise (Bulk Fermentation) 😴
Place the dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl. Turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is where the magic happens! 🎈

Page 2: The Filling, Shaping, and Second Rise 🤩
Now that our dough is happily rising, let’s focus on the flavorful filling and the precise technique for achieving that beautiful crescent shape seen in the image.

Phase 3: Preparing the Gourmet Filling 🔪
The filling should be cooled completely before being added to the dough to prevent the butter from melting and the dough from breaking.

Step 1: Cook the Meat 🍳
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the ground sausage/meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat very thoroughly. A greasy filling will lead to soggy rolls! 🤢

Step 2: Season and Cool 🌬️
Stir in the spices (paprika, pepper, garlic powder) and a pinch of salt. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

Step 3: Mix in the Cheese 🧀