Soft Dinner Rolls

There’s something truly special about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the kitchen, filling the air with warmth and comfort. When it comes to homemade bread, soft dinner rolls are an all-time favourite. These fluffy, pillowy delights have a way of transforming an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience.

Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, preparing a holiday feast, or simply craving some comforting carbs, having a go-to recipe for soft dinner rolls is a must. And today, I’m here to share just that – a tried-and-true recipe that will yield irresistibly soft and buttery rolls that are sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

480 g (4 cups) bread flour
300 ml (1 1/4 cups) warm milk (around 110°F or 43°C)
35 g fresh yeast or 10 g dry yeast
60 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp (24 g) sugar
2 tsp (10 g) salt
1 egg + 1 beaten egg for brushing on top
extra melted butter for brushing on top once the dinner rolls are baked (optional)

You will also need a baking dish brushed with melted butter or oil or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The baking dish should be ~ 23 cm x 33 cm (9’’x13’’) or if using a round one, 30 cm (12’’) in diameter.

Directions

In a small bowl combine the yeast, sugar and a tablespoon of warm milk. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so until the yeast becomes frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt.

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, warm milk and 1 egg. Stir with a spoon or use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment until a sticky dough forms.

Stir with a spoon or use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment until a sticky dough forms.

If using a stand mixer, knead the dough on low speed for about 5 minutes. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 6-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The dough will still have a sticky consistency.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 6-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The dough will still have a sticky consistency.

Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

If you live in a cold place, just turn the oven lights on and place the bowl inside. The heat from the lights is enough to make the dough rise nicely.

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, knead it a few times and divide it into 18 equal-sized portions. If you want larger dinner rolls, you can divide it in 12 pieces instead of 18.

Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 18 equal-sized portions.

Shape each portion into a round ball by tucking the edges underneath. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each roll.

Cover the rolls again with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they have puffed up.