Do you ever find yourself craving those perfect dinner rolls—soft, fluffy, and just begging to be slathered with butter? Well, I’ve got a recipe that’ll whisk you away to bread heaven in just an hour. Honestly, these rolls are like a warm hug for your taste buds, and they might just remind you of cozy family gatherings or that one time you found the perfect bakery on a rainy day.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, setting it aside for later use.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine water and melted butter, then add milk and honey, stirring until mixed. Microwave for short intervals until the mixture reaches 110°F, ensuring it’s warm but not hot to the touch.
- Pour the liquid mixture into a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast on top, stir briefly, and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt to the bowl. Using a dough hook, mix on medium-low speed, adding more flour if needed, until the dough pulls away from the bowl and is slightly sticky.
- Continue mixing on low speed for 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth, then shape it into a ball and transfer it to a greased bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rise for 15 minutes.
- Punch down the dough gently and divide it into 15 equal pieces, forming each into a ball. Place the balls into the prepared baking dish, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for another 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the cover and bake the rolls for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown.
- Once baked, place the dish on a wire rack and brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.
- Serve the rolls warm and enjoy their soft, buttery goodness.
Ingredients
- Water: 1 cup
- Milk: 1/3 cup (dairy or plant-based)
- Melted butter: 4 tablespoons, plus more for brushing
- Honey: 2 tablespoons
- Active dry yeast: 1 tablespoon (slightly more than one 0.25-ounce packet)
- All-purpose flour: 3 1/2 to 4 cups
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
FAQ
- Can I make the dough ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. After shaping the rolls and placing them in the baking dish, cover them tightly and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Allow the dish to return to room temperature for about 2 hours before baking as usual.
- What should I do if my dough doesn’t rise?
- Ensure your yeast is still active by checking its expiration date. If the yeast doesn’t foam after a few minutes with the wet ingredients, it might be inactive, and you may need to start with a fresh batch. Also, make sure the liquid ingredients are between 100-110°F to activate the yeast effectively.
- Can I make these rolls vegan?
- Absolutely! Substitute the dairy milk with a plant-based alternative and replace the butter and honey with your preferred vegan options.
- How can I add more flavor to the rolls?
- You can enhance the rolls by mixing in garlic powder, fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley, or even grated cheese such as cheddar or Parmesan for a savory twist.
- What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
- No worries! Mix the dough as much as possible with a spoon, then knead it on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth, adding a bit more flour if needed to prevent stickiness.
Tips
- Check Yeast Freshness: Always verify that your yeast is within its expiration date to ensure your dough rises properly. If the yeast doesn’t start foaming after 5 minutes with the wet ingredients, it may be inactive, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.
- Monitor Liquid Temperature: Ensure the temperature of your water, melted butter, milk, and honey mixture is between 100-110°F. Too hot will kill the yeast, and too cool might not activate it. Use a cooking thermometer to be precise.
- Be Patient with Rise Times: Don’t rush the rise times as they are crucial for achieving the desired soft and fluffy texture of the rolls.
- Size Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect: When dividing the dough into rolls, don’t stress about making them perfectly equal in size. They’ll bake together, and slight size differences won’t affect the outcome.
Equipment
- Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls, assuming you might not have them at home:
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook Attachment
- Cooking Thermometer
- 9 x 13-inch Baking Dish
- Microwave-Safe Bowl (if not already available)
- Wire Cooling Rack
