Heavenly Soft & Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe
These Heavenly Soft & Buttery Dinner Rolls are perfectly tender, fluffy, and richly buttery. Made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, butter, and milk, this recipe guides you through an easy kneading and rising process to yield golden-brown rolls with a delicate crumb. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, these dinner rolls are best enjoyed warm with butter or jam.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 12-16 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread/Dinner Rolls
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (one packet)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed (about 110°F)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for added sweetness)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and instant yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy; this indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the melted butter, honey if using, and the frothy yeast mixture. Crack in the eggs and begin mixing until a soft dough starts to form.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, gradually add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the right consistency.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide it into 12 equal portions for large rolls or 16 for smaller ones. Shape each portion into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and place them side by side in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or on a lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped rolls with a clean towel and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat the Oven: While the rolls undergo the second rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Brush the tops lightly with melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are beautifully golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately brush the rolls again with melted butter to enhance softness and flavor. Let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy: These dinner rolls are best served warm, straight from the oven, accompanied by butter or your favorite jam for a comforting treat.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warmed to about 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For softer rolls, brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Honey is optional but adds a subtle sweetness that enhances flavor.
- Adjust flour quantity as needed during kneading to prevent sticky dough.
- Keep the dough covered during rises to avoid drying out the surface.
- These rolls freeze well once baked; reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: soft dinner rolls, homemade rolls, buttery bread, yeast rolls, easy bread recipe, baking bread
