Soft, Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These soft, buttery dinner rolls are perfect for any meal, offering a tender crumb and rich flavor. They’re easy to make and sure to impress your family and guests with their golden, fluffy texture.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup warm water (115°F)
• 2 packets (¼ ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm whole milk (115°F)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for bowl and pans
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 3 large eggs
• 6 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for work surface

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the warm water in a small bowl, sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and 2 eggs. Whisk in the yeast mixture. Save the remaining egg for the egg wash.
3. Step 3: Using a wooden spoon, stir in 6 cups of flour, one cup at a time, until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Add up to ½ cup more flour if needed.
4. Step 4: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Butter the inside of a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning to coat with butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 ¼ hours.
6. Step 6: Butter two 13-by-9-inch baking pans. Divide the dough in half, roll each half into a 15-inch rope, then cut each rope into fifteen 1-inch pieces.
7. Step 7: Press each piece into a disk and shape into a ball. Arrange the dough balls in the prepared pans and cover loosely with plastic.
8. Step 8: Let the dough balls rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 ¼ hours (or 2 hours if frozen).
9. Step 9: Preheat the oven to 375°F with racks in the upper and lower thirds.
10. Step 10: Beat the reserved egg in a small bowl and brush it over the tops of the rolls. Bake the rolls until golden and cooked through.

Tips & Variations

• Brushing the rolls with melted butter right after baking will add extra richness and keep the crust soft.
• For a slightly sweeter roll, increase the sugar by a tablespoon.
• Try adding herbs like rosemary or garlic powder to the dough for a savory twist.

Storage

Store the cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls after baking in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Reheat rolls wrapped in foil at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 15-20 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Since it doesn’t need to be proofed, you can add it directly to the dry ingredients and reduce the water slightly to maintain dough consistency.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature and rise again before shaping and baking.

Soft, Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 106 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (including rising times)
• Yield: 30 dinner rolls 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These Soft, Buttery Dinner Rolls are fluffy, tender, and perfect for any meal. Made with warm milk, melted butter, and just the right amount of sugar and salt, these classic rolls have a golden crust and a soft interior. The dough is enriched with eggs and allowed to rise twice, ensuring lightness and a beautiful texture. Ideal for family dinners, holidays, or special occasions, these homemade rolls will impress with their buttery flavor and pillowy softness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Yeast Mixture

• ¼ cup warm water (115°F)
• 2 packets (¼ ounce each) active dry yeast

Dough

• 1 ½ cups warm whole milk (115°F)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for bowl and pans
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 3 large eggs
• 6 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for work surface

---

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast: Place the ¼ cup warm water in a small bowl. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water and let it stand for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Combine milk, butter, sugar, salt, and eggs: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups warm whole milk, ½ cup melted unsalted butter, ¼ cup sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons salt, and 2 of the eggs. Then whisk in the foamy yeast mixture. Save the remaining egg for the egg wash later.
3. Stir in flour: Using a wooden spoon, gradually stir in 6 cups of the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, until you have a soft and shaggy dough. If the dough feels too sticky, add up to an additional ½ cup of flour as needed.
4. Knead dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Knead it for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. First rise: Butter the inside of a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning it to coat with butter. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it stand in a warm spot until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
6. Prepare pans and shape rolls: Butter two 13-by-9-inch baking pans. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll each half into a 15-inch rope and cut each rope into 15 pieces, about 1 inch each. Press each piece into a disk and shape into a ball.
7. Second rise: Arrange the dough balls evenly in the prepared pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, buttering the underside of the wrap to prevent sticking. Let them rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 15 minutes (or about 2 hours if using dough that was frozen).
8. Preheat oven and egg wash: While the rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 375°F, positioning racks in the upper and lower thirds. In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg until blended and lightly brush it over the top of each roll for a shiny, golden crust.
9. Bake rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until they turn golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped, about 20 to 25 minutes.
10. Cool and serve: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly in the pans before transferring to a wire rack. Brush with additional melted butter if desired and serve warm.

Notes

• Ensure all liquids are warm (around 115°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Butter the plastic wrap during the second rise to prevent the dough from sticking as it expands.
• If dough sticks too much during kneading or shaping, dust your work surface and hands lightly with flour.
• You can freeze shaped dough after the first rise; allow extra time for the second rise if baking from frozen.
• The egg wash helps create a glossy and golden exterior, enhancing presentation and flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Dinner rolls, soft rolls, buttery rolls, homemade bread, yeast bread, dinner bread