Imagine the warm aroma wafting through your kitchen, wrapping around you like a cozy blanket on a chilly evening—there’s something so magical about homemade bread, isn’t there? These soft and buttery sourdough dinner rolls are like little clouds of comfort, perfect for sharing with family or hoarding all to yourself (no judgment here). With each bite, you might just find yourself reminiscing about that time you had the perfect dinner roll at your favorite restaurant—only now, you’ve got the secret recipe right in your hands.
Steps
- Prepare Sourdough Starter: Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly, feeding it the night before you plan to make the rolls. This will ensure it’s ready to use for the dough.
- Melt Ingredients: Over low heat, melt together butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Once melted, let the mixture cool to room temperature before mixing it with the sourdough starter and flour in a bowl. Cover and let rest for one hour.
- Stretch and Fold: Perform three sets of stretch and folds on the dough, with 30-minute intervals in between. After the final set, cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for two more hours or until it has increased by approximately 50%.
- Shape the Dough: On a floured surface, divide the dough into 12 equal portions, about 65 grams each. Shape each portion into a ball by pinching the sides together and smoothing the top. Place the balls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 3-4 hours until puffy.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) about 20 minutes before baking. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F. After baking, brush the tops with melted butter and serve warm.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (100 g) active sourdough starter
- 3 cups + 2 tablespoons (375 g) bread flour
- 1 cup (240 g) milk
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
- 3 tablespoons (44 g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing after baking)
FAQ
- Can I substitute all-purpose flour for bread flour in this recipe?
- Yes, you can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour if needed. The texture might vary slightly, but it will still yield delicious rolls.
- How can I make these sourdough dinner rolls vegan?
- For a vegan version, substitute non-dairy milk and butter for the regular milk and butter.
- What is the best way to store leftover sourdough rolls?
- Store the baked rolls in a bread bag or wrap them in a tea towel at room temperature for up to three days. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
- How do I prepare the rolls in advance and bake them later?
- After shaping the rolls, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days. When ready to bake, let them rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours before baking as instructed.
- Can I bake these rolls in a metal dish instead of a glass one?
- Yes, you can bake the rolls in a metal baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and check them at 22-25 minutes to prevent over-baking.
Tips
- Adjust Rising Times Based on Kitchen Temperature: Be mindful of your kitchen’s ambient temperature when working with sourdough. If your kitchen is warmer than 68°F (20°C), reduce the rising times during the first and second rise to prevent over-proving the dough.
- Substitute Ingredients for Dietary Preferences: If you need a vegan version, you can substitute non-dairy butter and milk for the regular ones. Additionally, you can reduce the sugar from 3 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon if you prefer less sweetness.
- Shape and Store for Convenience: If you want to prepare the rolls in advance, shape them, cover the baking dish, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let the rolls rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours before proceeding with baking.
- Consider Baking Dish Material: For the softest rolls, use a glass baking dish. If using a metal dish, bake at 400°F (204°C) and check the rolls around 22-25 minutes to prevent over-baking.
Equipment
- Digital Kitchen Scale – Useful for measuring the dough pieces accurately (approximately 65g each).
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook Attachment – Helpful for kneading the dough if you prefer not to knead by hand.
- Glass Baking Dish – Recommended for baking the rolls to achieve the softest texture.
- Digital Thermometer – To check if the rolls have reached the desired internal temperature of 190°F (88°C).
- Small Saucepan – For melting the butter, milk, sugar, and salt mixture.
