The Ultimate Dinner Roll Recipe
Just one recipe is all you need to make homemade dinner rolls, with a variety of flavory combinations and shapes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (56 grams) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (170 grams) milk
- 3-3 ½ cups (360-420 grams) bread flour (exact amount varies)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (7 grams) Active-dry yeast , or instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg , beaten with 2 tablespoons water, for egg wash
Equipment
Instructions
Make the dough:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat. Add the milk and warm for a minute more, or until temperature is 120-130°F (Be careful it's not too hot, over 140°F, or you will kill the yeast).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook (or in a large bowl if planning to mix by hand), combine 2½ cups of the flour, the yeast, sugar and salt. Add the warm water mixture, followed by the eggs, mixing on low speed until incorporated, or use a dough whisk.
- Add the remaining bread flour 2 tablespoons at a time while mixing on medium-low speed until dough almost clears the bowl and is tacky to the touch (It's okay if some dough sticks to your fingers). You may not need all of the remaining flour, or you may need more than is called for. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes more.
Rise & shape:
- Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled, about 1 hour (30 minutes if using instant yeast).
- Punch down dough and let rest for a few minutes. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and shape into balls or desired shape (see Notes).
- Place shaped rolls in a 9x13-inch pan or quarter sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Spray some plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray and place over the shaped buns/rolls. Return to a warm place and continue to rise for an additional 30 minutes until doubled.
Bake:
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Brush rolls with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm from the oven or allow to cool.
- These rolls are at their absolutely best when served fresh the day they're baked, but will keep in an airtight container for several days.
Video
Notes
- Flavor variations:
- Honey Whole Wheat Rolls— replace 1½ cups of bread flour with whole wheat flour, sub granulated sugar for ¼ cup honey, and heat with milk and butter.
- Herb Rolls— add 1 tablespoon fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried) herbs like rosemary, thyme or a combination to the dry ingredients.
- Cheddar Rolls— stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese to the dough once it has been initially mixed, before adding additional flour.
- Garlic Rolls— add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the butter and milk as they heat.
- “Everything” Spice Rolls— a 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning to the dry ingredients. Additional spice may be sprinkled over the rolls before baking.
- To form these dinner rolls into other shapes, see my tutorial on How to Shape Dinner Rolls.
- Check out 4 ways to prepare rolls in advance (including overnight and freezing instructions.
- A note about flour in this recipe: Bread flour is preferred for it's superior ability to produce soft, fluffy rolls, but all-purpose will work in a pinch too. The exact amount you'll need may vary, which is why a range is given.
Calories: 258kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 467mg, Potassium: 113mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 234IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg
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