Who can resist soft dinner rolls straight from the oven? These dinner rolls come up fluffy and golden, with a tinge of sweetness. Brush heated buns with melted butter right before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a large mixing basin, add warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it foams. This means that the yeast is active and ready for use.
2. Mix the Dough:
- Stir the melted butter and beaten egg into the yeast mixture until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, working until the dough comes together. Depending on the humidity and temperature, you may not need to use all of the flour or may require a little extra.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little extra flour, but don’t overdo it, since it will dry up the rolls.
4. First Rise:
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
5. Shape the Rolls:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured board and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Form each piece into a ball by pulling the dough underneath itself until the surface is smooth.
- Place the molded dough balls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or on a baking sheet, allowing space between each for expansion.
6. Second Rise:
- Cover the shaped rolls with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they are puffy and have filled the pan.
7. Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190° C).
- Once the rolls have risen, bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
8. Serve:
- Remove the rolls from the oven, and if desired, brush the tops with melted butter for a soft, glossy finish and extra flavor.
- Serve the rolls warm, ideally straight out of the oven.
Tips
- To make softer rolls, add 2 tablespoons of powdered milk to the dough mixture. This will give the rolls a softer texture and a deeper taste.
- Store freshly cooked dinner rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving to restore their warmth and suppleness.
- The rolls freeze well. Let them cool fully before storing in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw and reheat in the oven.
Enjoy your handmade dinner rolls, which are the ideal compliment to any meal and will radiate warmth and joy around the table.
Recipe Card
FRESHLY BAKED DINNER ROLLS
Who can resist soft dinner rolls straight from the oven? These dinner rolls come up fluffy and golden, with a tinge of sweetness. Brush heated buns with melted butter right before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for kneading
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg beaten
Instructions
Activate the Yeast:
- In a large mixing basin, add warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it foams. This means that the yeast is active and ready for use.
Mix the Dough:
- Stir the melted butter and beaten egg into the yeast mixture until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, working until the dough comes together. Depending on the humidity and temperature, you may not need to use all of the flour or may require a little extra.
Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little extra flour, but don’t overdo it, since it will dry up the rolls.
First Rise:
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
Shape the Rolls:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured board and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Form each piece into a ball by pulling the dough underneath itself until the surface is smooth.
- Place the molded dough balls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or on a baking sheet, allowing space between each for expansion.
Second Rise:
- Cover the shaped rolls with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they are puffy and have filled the pan.
Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190° C).
- Once the rolls have risen, bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Serve:
- Remove the rolls from the oven, and if desired, brush the tops with melted butter for a soft, glossy finish and extra flavor.
- Serve the rolls warm, ideally straight out of the oven.
Notes
To make softer rolls, add 2 tablespoons of powdered milk to the dough mixture. This will give the rolls a softer texture and a deeper taste.
Store freshly cooked dinner rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving to restore their warmth and suppleness.
The rolls freeze well. Let them cool fully before storing in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw and reheat in the oven.
Enjoy your handmade dinner rolls, which are the ideal compliment to any meal and will radiate warmth and joy around the table.