Are you dreaming of those perfect, melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls that elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary? Forget store-bought disappointments! These homemade yeast rolls are incredibly easy to make and deliver that soft, chewy texture you crave. They are destined to become a staple for your family dinners, holiday feasts, or any special gathering. These are not just any rolls; they are your new go-to recipe for unforgettable bread.
Pioneer Woman Inspired Soft Dinner Rolls Ready to be Served
A truly exceptional soft dinner roll is a simple kind of magic. Imagine a roll that’s both pillowy and slightly chewy, offering that delightful texture when you pull it apart. These rolls are not overpowering in flavor; instead, they act as the perfect canvas for generous amounts of butter and honey. And the best part? They are surprisingly easy to prepare in your own kitchen!
While this recipe for homemade yeast rolls is wonderfully straightforward, you can easily customize it with subtle flavor additions. Consider incorporating garlic, your favorite herbs, or a touch of honey to create your signature rolls. Feel free to experiment and make them your own!
These soft dinner rolls are a must-have addition to any holiday menu, especially Thanksgiving!
To begin creating the dough, combine warm milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or paddle attachment. Gently stir these ingredients together, then cover the bowl and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This step allows the yeast to activate, ensuring your rolls rise beautifully.
Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add the remaining sugar, egg, softened butter, salt, and one cup of flour to the bowl. Mix on low speed for approximately 30 seconds, then pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Gradually add the remaining flour. You might not need to use all of it, as you’re looking for a dough that’s slightly sticky. Continue to mix or knead on medium speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, which should take around 2 minutes.
Keep the dough in the mixer and knead for an additional 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for a couple of minutes to achieve a smooth and elastic texture.
Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This rising time is crucial for developing the light and airy texture of your rolls.
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan (glass is recommended over metal for even baking) or use two 9-inch baking pans.
Once the dough has sufficiently risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 14 to 16 equal pieces. A dough scraper can be helpful for this step, but precision isn’t essential.
Shape each piece of dough into a smooth ball. Start by rolling it into a rough ball, then place it in your palm and gently pull pieces from the bottom to tuck underneath, creating a smooth top. Finally, lightly roll the seam side on the counter to round it out further.
Arrange the dough balls in your prepared baking pan(s), leaving a little space between them as they will expand during their second rise. Cover the pan(s) with plastic wrap and let them rise again until puffy, which usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. This second rise is what makes the rolls incredibly soft and light.
Adjust your oven rack to a lower position and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown. Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning. If the tops start to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter (or honey butter for a touch of sweetness). Allow them to cool slightly before serving. Brushing with melted butter not only adds a lovely sheen but also helps keep the rolls incredibly soft and prevents them from drying out too quickly.
These homemade yeast rolls are guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection. Their ease of preparation and delightful taste and texture make them perfect for any occasion, from casual family meals to festive holiday gatherings. Enjoy the simple pleasure of warm, homemade bread!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to approximately 110°F (43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into 4 pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour or bread flour (you may not use all of it)
- Optional topping: 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (or honey butter), sea salt flakes
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir gently, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes until yeast is foamy.
- Add remaining sugar, egg, softened butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scrape down the bowl.
- Gradually add remaining flour, mixing until dough pulls away from the bowl (about 2 minutes). Dough should be slightly sticky.
- Knead in the mixer for 2 minutes more, or turn onto a floured surface and knead by hand for 2 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled.
- Grease a 9×13 inch glass baking pan or two 9-inch pans.
- Punch down dough, divide into 14-16 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a smooth ball using the tucking method described above.
- Arrange in prepared pans, leaving space between rolls. Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), with rack in lower position. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating pan halfway, until golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven, brush with melted butter (or honey butter), and let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Notes
- For best results, use a glass baking pan as metal pans may cause the rolls to brown too quickly and unevenly, potentially resulting in a doughy center.
- Feel free to add flavorings to the dough. Consider incorporating fresh herbs, garlic powder (or garlic butter brushed on after baking), or even dried fruit for a sweeter variation.
- To make vegan yeast rolls, use plant-based milk and butter substitutes. Some bakers recommend adding bread flour and plant-based buttermilk for optimal texture. A vegan garlic and parsley butter makes a delicious topping.
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