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Dinner Rolls

Dinner Rolls

Soft, fluffy, and golden dinner rolls that are perfect for any meal occasion. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, milk, butter, and yeast, these rolls have a tender inside and a lightly crisp outside. Easy to prepare and versatile, they can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or reheated for an impressive homemade touch to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (divided: 1 tsp for yeast, 1 tbsp for dough)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: Pour warm milk into a bowl, sprinkle the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar on top. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy and bubbly, which indicates the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg. Stir until a sticky dough begins to form.
  3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky, developing gluten for soft texture.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Rolls: Gently punch down the dough to release air. Divide into 12 equal portions and roll into smooth balls. Arrange close together on a greased baking pan.
  6. Second Rise: Cover loosely and let the rolls rise for 30 to 45 minutes until they puff up noticeably.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Brush tops with melted butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 18 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Use warm milk at about 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
  • Do not skip kneading to ensure rolls have soft chew and good structure.
  • Bring eggs and butter to room temperature for better dough consistency.
  • Keep dough covered during rising to maintain moisture and prevent crust formation.
  • Brush rolls with butter immediately after baking for a soft, shiny crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: dinner rolls, soft rolls, yeast rolls, homemade dinner rolls, fluffy rolls, bread rolls