Dinner Rolls

5 from 1 vote

These soft dinner rolls are flaky, buttery, and easy to make with pantry staples! This recipe is perfect for the holidays and quick enough for everyday baking.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Rising Time1

Total Time1 40

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dinner rolls, dinner rolls recipe

Servings: rolls

Author: Katerina Petrovska

Equipment

Ingredients

1½ cups whole milk warmed to about 110°F
3 tablespoons white granulated sugar divided
2½ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 large egg at room temperature
1½ teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
4½ cups all-purpose flour
2 to 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter for greasing the rolls

Instructions

Prepare the yeast mixture. In a small bowl, combine the warmed milk and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk mixture. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes or until frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
Mix the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, sea salt, and softened butter to the egg. Mix well with a fork, until fully combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add the frothy yeast mixture to the egg mixture. Stir well with a wooden spoon to combine. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition (with a wooden spoon or with hands). Continue until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
First rise. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to grease the top. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape the rolls. Punch down the risen dough to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball by rolling it on a clean surface. Place the dough balls on a lightly buttered 9x13-inch baking dish (for 12 portions).
Second Rise. Cover the shaped rolls with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let them rise again in a warm, draft-free place for about 20-30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bake the rolls. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Once the buns come out of the oven, brush them generously with melted butter. Let them cool slightly on a wire rack to allow the flavors to settle.
Serve. Serve warm, and enjoy the soft, buttery goodness with your favorite spread or a side of honey butter. These rolls are perfect for any meal.

Notes

To freeze. These rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Mix ins. For added flavor, try mixing in fresh herbs, minced garlic, or shredded cheese into the dough. These simple additions can enhance the taste and give the rolls a delicious twist.
Milk temperature. Make sure the milk is warm but not too hot (about 110°F). If it’s too hot, it could kill the yeast, which would prevent the dough from rising.

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