Instructions

1. Grease a large bowl with butter or oil and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk just until it starts to steam.
3. In the bowl of a mixer, or in a large bowl, combine the milk, sugar, shortening and salt. Mix well. Let the mixture cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, mix together the warm water and the yeast. Allow the yeast to dissolve for 5 minutes.
5. Sift the flour and add 1 1/2 cups to the milk mixture. Mix until blended. Add the egg and the yeast mixture and mix until you can no longer see the yellow of the yolk. Add the remaining flour gradually until it is fully incorporated and the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until the dough comes together and is silken, 1 to 2 minutes. Form the dough into a ball and place in the greased bowl. Turn once to coat with the oil. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and set in a draft free area. Allow to rise until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
6. Line 2 9×13-inch pans with parchment paper or grease lightly. Set aside.
7. When the dough has doubled, transfer to a floured surface and divide into 2 equal halves. Form each into a ball. Roll each ball out into a 12-inch circle. Using a sharp knife, pastry cutter or pizza wheel, cut the circle in half, then each half circle into 6 equal wedges.
8. Melt the butter and brush half of the butter onto the wedges. Roll the wedges up, starting at the wide end and rolling to the point. Place on the prepared baking sheet with the tip on the bottom to prevent it from unrolling. Cover again with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let them rise once more until doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 400F. Brush the tops of the butterhorns with the remaining butter and bake in the oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a bread basket.
10. Cinnamon Sugar Version: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the round after you have brushed the dough with butter, before you roll them. You can also make other versions – cheese rolls, pesto rolls, garlic rolls – the possibilities are endless!