Homemade dinner rolls: 4 pure comfort bites

Oh, the smell of freshly baked bread! There’s just nothing quite like it, is there? It instantly makes a house feel like a home, and for me, it always takes me back to my Grandma’s kitchen. She’d have these incredible homemade dinner rolls ready to go for Sunday supper, each one perfectly soft and inviting. I’ve taken her love for baking and her knack for making simple things taste extraordinary, and I’ve tweaked this recipe just for you. My goal is to make sure you can pull off those unbelievably soft, pillowy homemade dinner rolls from scratch, even if your week is as hectic as mine often is. Trust me, with this recipe, you’ll bring an extra dose of love to your table!

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Dinner Rolls

Seriously, these homemade dinner rolls are a game-changer!

• Cloud-Like Softness: They are incredibly tender and pillowy – just pure, buttery delight in every bite.
• So Easy to Whip Up: Even if you’re a little nervous about yeast, this recipe is totally foolproof and so rewarding.
• Pure Comfort in Every Bite: That warm, yeasty, slightly sweet aroma and taste? It’s like a hug for your taste buds.
• Elevates Any Meal: Perfect for holidays, special dinners, or just making a weeknight meal feel extra special.
• The Aroma is Everything: Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine while these are baking – the best kind of welcoming scent!
• Perfect for Pull-Apart Fun: Baking them close together means you get those irresistible soft sides, perfect for tearing and sharing.

Ingredients for Soft, Fluffy Dinner Rolls From Scratch

Here’s what you’ll need to create those dreamy, soft dinner rolls:

• 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Essential Equipment for Baking Homemade Dinner Rolls

To make these gorgeous yields, you’ll want a few trusty kitchen helpers. Grab a large mixing bowl for your dough, and a smaller one for your yeast proofing. You’ll definitely need a good set of measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk or wooden spoon for mixing. A sturdy baking sheet or a 9×13 inch baking pan is a must for shaping and baking. And don’t forget a clean surface for kneading – your countertop will do just fine!

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Homemade Dinner Rolls

Alright, let’s turn those ingredients into pure magic! Making these homemade dinner rolls is a process, but every step is so worth it. Just follow along, and soon enough, you’ll have warm, beautiful rolls fresh from your oven. Thinking about making sourdough? This recipe will get you started with yeast bread basics!

Activating the Yeast for Your Homemade Dinner Rolls

First things first, let’s get our yeast happy! In your large bowl, gently combine that warm milk (make sure it’s not too hot, or it’ll kill the yeast!) with the yeast and the sugar. Give it a little swirl and then just let it chill for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for it to get nice and foamy on top. If it doesn’t bubble up, your yeast might be past its prime, so grab some new stuff and try again!

Mixing and Kneading the Dough

Once your yeast is all foamy and excited, stir in the salt, the melted butter, and those lightly beaten eggs. Now, it’s time for the flour. Start adding it gradually, mixing as you go until you’ve got a shaggy dough that’s just coming together. Turn that dough out onto a lightly floured surface. This is where the magic really happens – kneading! Work it for about 8 to 10 minutes until it’s super smooth and elastic. If you’ve got a stand mixer, just pop on the dough hook and let it do its thing for about 6-8 minutes. You want it to feel soft and bouncy, not sticky!

The First Rise for Your Yeast Bread Buns

Now, find a nice, cozy spot for your dough to do its first big rise. Pop it into a lightly greased bowl, cover it up with plastic wrap, and let it hang out in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s doubled in size – it’ll look so puffy and inviting!

Shaping and the Second Rise

Okay, time to get your hands back in that dough! Gently punch it down to release the air. Then, divide it into 12 to 16 equal pieces. I like to roll each piece into a nice, smooth ball. Place them pretty close together in your greased 9×13 inch baking pan; this helps them bake up into those lovely soft, pull-apart buns. Cover them up again and let them do their second rise for another 30-45 minutes until they’re looking gorgeously puffy.

SAVE IT

Baking and Finishing Your Homemade Holiday Bread

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while your rolls are doing their final puff. Once the oven is ready and the rolls are looking plump, it’s time to bake! Pop them in for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re a lovely golden brown. As SOON as they come out of the oven, while they’re still piping hot, brush the tops generously with that reserved melted butter. Oh, that smell! It’s truly the best part of making homemade holiday bread.

SAVE IT

SAVE IT

SAVE IT

Tips for Extra Soft Pull-Apart Rolls

Okay, you want those rolls to be *extra* soft, right? The kind that practically melts in your mouth? Trust me, I’ve got you covered. It all comes down to a few little secrets passed down from my grandma. First off, for the ultimate in tender dough, using whole milk is fantastic, but if you really want to go for it, heavy cream instead of the milk? Oh my goodness, game changer! It makes the rolls impossibly rich and soft. And don’t skimp on the kneading! I know it feels like a chore sometimes, but really working that dough until it’s silky smooth is key to developing the gluten just right, which gives you that lovely structure that’s still incredibly tender. When you bake them, making sure they’re snuggled up close in the pan, those pull-apart rolls will share warmth and steam, keeping each other soft and oh-so-lovely. A quick brush of butter right after they come out? Chef’s kiss!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Homemade Dinner Rolls

Let’s chat about some of the ingredients in these homemade dinner rolls and what you can do if you don’t have something or want to change things up a bit. My grandma always swore by active dry yeast, and getting that little foam party going in the beginning is her secret to knowing the yeast is good and ready to work its magic. If you’ve got instant yeast in your pantry, lucky you – you can skip that foaming step and just mix it right in with your dry ingredients. Super handy! For an extra-rich, melt-in-your-mouth kind of roll, swapping out the milk for heavy cream is pure indulgence. It really makes these yeast bread buns taste like they came from a fancy bakery. Always use good ol’ all-purpose flour for the best texture; I haven’t really experimented with others for this particular recipe, as it’s pretty perfect as is!

Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Yeast Bread Buns

You know, one of my absolute favorite things about these yeast bread buns is how fantastic they are for planning ahead. If you want to get a head start, check out my meal planning tips! Just punch down the dough after that first rise, wrap it up tight, and pop it in the fridge overnight. It’ll slow down the yeast activity beautifully. Before shaping, just let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to warm up a bit. For storing baked rolls, keep them in an airtight container at room temp for a day or two, or freeze them for longer. Pop them in a warm oven for a few minutes to refresh!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Dinner Rolls

Got questions about making these amazing rolls? I’ve got answers!

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for homemade dinner rolls?

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of baking – lots of flexibility. If you’ve got instant yeast, you can totally skip that whole foamy step with the milk. Just mix the instant yeast right in with your flour and sugar. So much easier, right? You’ll still get those gorgeous homemade dinner rolls!

How do I achieve a soft crust on my homemade holiday bread?

Oh, for that super soft crust on your homemade holiday bread, it’s all about the finishing touches! Brushing them with butter *right* after they come out of the oven is key. Then, you can even loosely cover them with a clean kitchen towel for a few minutes as they cool. This traps just enough steam to keep that crust tender and lovely. Using milk in the dough itself also really helps keep them soft!

What is the best way to store leftover homemade dinner rolls?

Leftovers? You mean there are ever leftovers?! Ha! Just kidding. To keep them fresh, store any uneaten rolls in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed within that time, but if you need to stash them longer, wrap them well and pop them in the freezer. Reheat them in a low oven until warm – they’ll be like they just came out of the oven!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are my best guess since everyone’s pantry staples are a little different! These estimates are for one delicious homemade dinner roll, assuming you’ve made them according to the recipe. You’re looking at around 180 calories per roll, with about 7g of fat (4g of that is saturated), 4g of protein, and 25g of carbs. Plus, about 5g of sugar and 200mg of sodium. It’s all part of the joy of homemade!

Share Your Homemade Dinner Rolls!

I absolutely love hearing from you! If you try these homemade dinner rolls, please let me know how they turned out. Did you love them? Did your family devour them? Drop a comment below or even better, snap a photo and tag me on social media! Seeing your creations makes my day and connects us all through the magic of home baking.

Homemade Dinner Rolls

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Create soft, pillowy dinner rolls from scratch for your family meals or holiday feasts. These yeast bread buns are tender, buttery, and perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 2 hr 40 min
• Yield: 12-16 rolls 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Stir in salt, melted butter, and beaten eggs.
3. Gradually add flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 6-8 minutes.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12-16 equal pieces.
7. Shape each piece into a ball and place them close together in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
8. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
9. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Brush the tops of the warm rolls with melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.
• If you prefer a shinier crust, brush the rolls with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) before baking.
• This dough can be made ahead. After the first rise, punch it down, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and proceeding with the recipe.
• These rolls are excellent for meal planning and can be a great addition to your weekly menu.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 30mg