Tuffy's Tradition | Toasted Roll Recipe

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In 1929, Myron Timothy “Tuffy” Potter” decided to open up his own restaurant in Oxford, Ohio. Tuffy’s Sandwich Shop became a popular gathering spot for Miami University students on campus. The standard fare included Coke, coffee, hamburgers, and ice cream... but nothing could beat Tuffy’s specialty — his Toasted Rolls.

If you know anything about Ohio, you know there are particular dishes that Ohioans are very loyal to (Skyline Chili, Goetta, etc.) Some specialities are statewide, some are local, and Toasted Rolls are a local tradition in Oxford, especially among college students.

_{^{Photo Credit : Miami University}} 

Tuffy's Place was a little basement sandwich shop hangout and although it was a private business, it was basically located on Miami University's campus. Students flocked to Tuffy's in between classes, and a cup of coffee with a Toasted Roll became a daily tradition for most. 

Tuffy's famous Toasted Rolls were always served warm and fresh: a delicious combination of sugared rolls, Tuffy's special spread, grilled to perfection and completed with sprinkled powdered sugar.

_{^{Photo Credit : Miami University}}

"I must always have sat in the same booth, at least that's what is indelibly etched in my memory, a view of the whole place from a very specific seat, the counter and griddle in front of me, the entrance to my left," Chuck Cowdery, Miami Alum.

Although Tuffy's Shop closed in 1973, his Toasted Rolls are still considered a Miami classic and one of their greatest traditions.   

_{^{Photo Credit : Miami University}}

Tuffy's Toasted Rolls are still made fresh on campus today. You can find them occasionally at special events or in Miami's Welcome Center during the first week of classes.

And luckily for students, they are now always served on campus at Pulley's Diner, a 1950s style restaurant inside the Armstrong Student Center. 

_{^{Photo Credit : Miami University}}

Ok, ok... Enough raving about Tuffy's Toasted Rolls — Try one out for yourself! 

Recipe — Tuffy's Toasted Roll

* This recipe makes 2 dozen rolls

_{Photo & Recipe Courtesy of the Miami University Alumni Association}

Roll Ingredients

• 1 Cup Scalded & Cooled Milk
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• ¼ Cup Sugar
• 4 Cups Flour (Unsifted)
• 1 Cup Margarine (Soft)
• ½ Cup Margarine (Melted)
• 1 Pkg. Dry Yeast
• ¼ Cup Very Warm Water
• 3 Egg Yolks (Beaten)

Cinnamon & Sugar Mixture

• ½ Cup Sugar
• 1½ Tsp. Cinnamon

Creamy Glaze

• 1½ Cups Powdered Sugar (Sifted)
• 2 Tbsp. Soft Margarine
• 1½ Tsp. Vanilla
• 1-2 Tbsp. Hot Water

Directions

1. Put salt, sugar and flour in large bowl. Cut in margarine until mixture looks like meal.
2. Dissolve yeast in water; add dissolved yeast, cooled milk and beaten egg yolks to flour mixture. Beat well and chill overnight in refrigerator. (Dough may be kept a day or two in refrigerator.)
3. Roll 1/2 of chilled dough into rectangle, 12"x10" on floured board. Brush with melted margarine and then sprinkle dough with: 1/4 cup sugar mixed with 3/4 tsp. cinnamon.
4. Beginning at wide side, roll as for jelly roll. Cut in 12-1" slices and place cut side down in 9 x 13 pan. (Place rolls 3 across and 4 down.) Repeat these steps for 2nd piece of dough.
5. Cover and let rise in warm place about 2 hours. Dough will not double, but will rise slightly and look light.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. While still warm, drizzle both pans of rolls with Creamy Glaze. Let rolls cool. Using a bread knife, cut rolls as for a sandwich bun.
8. Place rolls cut side down on heavily buttered grill or skillet that is set at low to medium temperature. Grill until lightly brown.
9. Put top and bottom halves together. Sift lightly with powdered sugar. 
10. Serve warm and enjoy!