Buttery Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

There’s something special about a warm, soft homemade dinner roll. It’s a small thing, but it can make a meal feel complete. Store-bought rolls are okay, but homemade ones are better. 

This recipe is straightforward. It won’t take all day. You can do this.

Why Make Your Own Dinner Rolls?

Think about the last time you had a really good roll. It was probably warm, maybe a little bit sweet, and definitely soft. That’s hard to get from a bag in the grocery store. Making your own rolls lets you control the taste and texture. You know exactly what goes into them. Plus, the smell of baking bread is amazing. It makes your house feel cozy.

The Ingredients: Nothing Fancy

You don’t need special ingredients for good rolls. This recipe uses common things you probably already have.

• Milk: Warm milk helps the yeast do its job. Don’t overheat it. Think lukewarm, like baby bottle temperature.
• Sugar: A little sugar feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness.
• Yeast: This is what makes the rolls rise. You can find it in packets at the store.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works fine. You might need a little extra for kneading.
• Salt: Salt balances the sweetness and adds flavor. Don’t skip it.
• Butter: Butter makes the rolls rich. Use real butter, not margarine.
• Egg: An egg adds richness and helps the rolls brown.
• Melted Butter (for brushing): This makes the tops of the rolls look nice and taste good.

Making the Dough: Step by Step

Making bread might seem intimidating, but it’s not that hard. Just follow the steps.

1. Wake up the yeast: Put the warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes. It should get foamy. If it doesn’t, your yeast might be old. Get new yeast.
2. Mix it up: In a bigger bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, softened butter, and egg. Stir it together. It will be sticky.
3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it for about five minutes. Push it, fold it, and turn it. It will get smoother. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. You can also do this with your mixer.
4. First rise: Put the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a towel. Let it sit somewhere warm for about an hour. It should double in size. This is important. Don’t rush it.
5. Shape the rolls: Punch down the dough. This gets rid of the air. Divide it into equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
6. Second rise: Put the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover them. Let them rise for another half hour. They should get puffy.
7. Bake: Preheat your oven. Brush the rolls with melted butter. Bake them until they are golden brown.

Tips for Success

• Temperature matters: The milk should be warm, not hot. Your kitchen should be warm for the dough to rise.
• Don’t overknead: Kneading is important, but too much can make the rolls tough.
• Be patient: Let the dough rise properly. This is what makes the rolls light and airy.
• Use a thermometer: An oven thermometer helps make sure your oven is the right temperature.
• Cool slightly: Let the rolls cool a bit before you eat them. They’re good warm.

Serving Your Homemade Dinner Rolls

These rolls are good with anything. They go well with soup, stew, chicken, or just butter and jam. They’re a nice addition to any meal.

Making it Your Own

Once you get the hang of this recipe, you can try some variations.

• Herb Rolls: Add some dried herbs to the dough. Rosemary and thyme are good choices.
• Garlic Rolls: Mix some minced garlic into the melted butter.
• Cheese Rolls: Add some shredded cheese to the dough.
• Sweet Rolls: Add more sugar and maybe some cinnamon.

More Than Just a Recipe

Making your own rolls is more than just following instructions. It’s about creating something. It’s about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something delicious. It’s about the smell of baking bread and the feeling of accomplishment. It’s about sharing something you made with the people you care about. So, give it a try. You might surprise yourself. And even if they don’t turn out perfect the first time, they’ll still taste better than anything you can buy in a store. Because you made them.

Buttery Homemade Dinner Rolls

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Print Recipe

Soft, pillowy rolls perfect for any meal.

• Total Time: 2-2.5 hours (including rise times)
• Yield: 12–15 rolls 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the yeast mixture, along with the softened butter and beaten egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the rolls: Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12-15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball.
7. Second rise: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes, or until nearly doubled in size.
8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the rolls with the melted butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Cool and serve: Let the rolls cool slightly in the pan before serving.

Notes

• For extra buttery rolls: You can brush the rolls with melted butter again after they come out of the oven.
• For sweeter rolls: Add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar to the dough.
• For a richer flavor: Use whole milk instead of regular milk.
• For garlic rolls: Mix minced garlic into the melted butter used for brushing.
• Herb Rolls: Add dried herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough or sprinkle on top before baking.

• Author: Lindsey Chastain
• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus rise times)
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

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