Soft Dinner Rolls are the perfect addition to any meal—fluffy, warm, and just the right amount of sweetness. Here’s an easy recipe to make them at home, and I promise they’ll be a hit!
Soft Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter, for greasing the bowl)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing after baking)
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbly. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired or the milk may have been too hot or too cold. Try again with fresh yeast.
2. Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Add the melted butter, egg, and the activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon or spatula until the dough starts to come together.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, adding a little flour if it’s too sticky. Kneading helps develop the gluten and will give you soft, fluffy rolls.
- The dough should be smooth, elastic, and only slightly sticky. If it’s too sticky, add small amounts of flour until it’s manageable.
4. First Rise:
- Grease a large bowl with a little olive oil or melted butter.
- Place the dough in the bowl, turning it around so it’s lightly coated with oil.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Rolls:
- Punch the dough down to release the air and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal portions (use a dough scraper or your hands). Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
- Arrange the dough balls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or a round cake pan, spacing them slightly apart.
6. Second Rise:
- Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the dough rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until the rolls have puffed up and are touching each other.
7. Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. You can check for doneness by tapping the tops of the rolls—they should sound hollow.
8. Brush with Butter:
- Once the rolls are done, remove them from the oven and immediately brush the tops with the 2 tbsp of melted butter for a soft, shiny finish.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.
Tips:
- No Warm Milk?: If you don’t have warm milk, you can also use warm water (around 110°F) and add a tablespoon of honey instead of sugar for a slightly different flavor.
- Fluffier Rolls: For extra soft rolls, you can add 1/4 cup of sour cream or yogurt to the dough for more richness and moisture.
- Make Ahead: You can make the dough ahead of time, let it rise once, then refrigerate it overnight (covered tightly). When you’re ready to bake, just shape, let it rise again, and bake as usual.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked rolls. After shaping them and letting them rise, freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place them in a pan, let them thaw and rise, and then bake as usual.
These Soft Dinner Rolls are the perfect addition to any dinner table, whether you’re serving them with soup, salad, or just slathered with butter. Let me know how they turn out if you make them!