Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

close up of golden baked homemade dinner rolls in pan.

Course: Bread and Baked Goods

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 20

Rising time: 2

Total Time: 2 50

Servings: buns

Calories: 165cal

Author: Ashley Fehr

This Homemade Dinner Rolls recipe is easy and makes the most delicious, soft, and fluffy dinner rolls you've ever tasted! They're perfect for sunday dinner or special occasions, but they're easy enough that you can enjoy them during the week too.

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Ingredients

To proof the yeast

½ cup warm whole milk (105-110 degrees F — warm but not hot)
1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast (either works in this recipe)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar

To make the dough

2 cups warm water (or milk)
½ cup melted salted butter
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon salt
6-7 cups all purpose flour

Instructions

Proof the yeast

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the warm milk, yeast and sugar.
Let sit for 10 minutes or until bubbly — this is how you know your yeast is working. This step is actually not required when using instant yeast, but I do it anyways, so that I know my buns will be nice and fluffy.

Prepare the dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a very large bowl if you are kneading by hand), whisk together the 2 cups warm water, butter, ⅓ cup sugar, egg and salt.
Add the bubbly yeast mixture and stir to combine.
Place the bowl in the stand mixer and put the dough hook on the machine. You can also knead by hand.
Add the flour, one cup at a time, and mix until nearly combined before adding more. You can use all purpose or whole wheat or a combination. Start with 4-5 cups flour, mixing until each is incorporated.
The closer you get to your dough being ready, the less flour you will add at once. We want a smooth, soft dough, never stiff, so we need to watch and stop adding flour at just the right moment.
Add up to 6-7 cups flour total, very gradually at the end, until the dough comes together in a smooth, soft ball and does not stick to the sides of the stand mixer. When you touch it, it should be smooth and slightly tacky but not stick all over your hands.
Place dough in a large lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Set in a warm spot (I use the oven with the light on — turn the oven on to preheat for 2-3 minutes before turning off and adding the dough) and let rise until doubled, about 1.5 hours.
Uncover dough, punch down, and roll out 20-24 rounds — smoothing the top and pinching the seam in the back to smooth (see video for additional details).
Place in two lightly greased 9x13" baking dishes (12 in each) and let rise (cover with plastic wrap or a light towel that won't stick) in a warm spot for 30 to 90 minutes (instant yeast will be quicker) until doubled.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until light golden brown.
Brush with melted butter while warm if desired.

Video

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

Water and milk: for either of the liquids required in this recipe you can use water or milk. Milk will give a softer, sweeter, richer roll. Water is a great option if you are dairy free.
Butter: you can make this recipe with unsalted butter or even vegan hard margarine if you need them to be dairy free.
Egg: the egg adds structure and richness, but you can leave it out if there are allergies to take into consideration
Flour: you can use either all-purpose or whole wheat flour in this recipe, or a combination. I do not recommend 100% whole wheat flour as the rolls may be dry and tough.

Storage:

The best way to store these homemade dinner rolls after they have cooled is to freeze them.

Store: Homemade rolls do not have the same preservatives as store-bought bread, so they should not be stored on the counter for more than a day, or you will find they are tough and not fluffy.
Freeze: These rolls freeze perfectly; just cool them, place them in an airtight container or bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the microwave on a piece of paper towel for 30-60 seconds before serving.

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