Description
These easy homemade dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery, perfect for serving alongside any meal. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, they provide a warm, inviting addition to your dinner table and are sure to impress family and guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra melted butter for brushing)
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl; let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast and prepare it for dough making.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in melted butter, egg, and salt into the yeast mixture to blend all wet ingredients together.
- Combine Flour: Gradually mix in the flour one cup at a time until a soft dough forms, ensuring it’s manageable and not too sticky.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, helping to develop the gluten for a perfect texture.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size, allowing the dough to proof.
- Shape Rolls: Punch down the risen dough to release air, divide it into 12 equal portions, and shape each into a smooth ball.
- Second Rise: Arrange the dough balls on a greased baking sheet or 9×13-inch dish, cover, and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown on top.
- Finish: Remove the rolls from the oven and brush them with melted butter to give them a glossy, flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use warm milk at about 110°F (45°C) to activate yeast properly; too hot or cold can kill or slow yeast.
- Kneading is essential for gluten development, which creates the soft, fluffy texture.
- Allow enough time for both rises to ensure light and airy rolls.
- Brush with melted butter right after baking for a soft crust and rich flavor.
- You can store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
