Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

A close up of a basket of buttery dinner rolls.

These fluffy soft dinner rolls are the missing piece of a filling family dinner. Slather them with butter, your favorite jam, or dip them into a puddle of gravy. Since they are made with instant yeast they are done quicker, saving you time especially during the busy holiday season.

Prep Time45

Cook Time15

Rising Time1

Total Time2

Course: Breads

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 440kcal

Author: Tristin - Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

4-5 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons rapid rise instant yeast
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm milk heated to 120°F-130°F
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted but warm not hot (120°F-130°F)
1 large egg at room temperature
1 teaspoon oil for coating bowl
2 tablespoons melted butter for roll tops

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 ½ cups of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
Pour in the warm milk (should be heated to 120°F - 130°F), cooled melted butter, and egg. Add the dough hook if using a stand mixer. Mix on low speed, scraping the bowl to fully incorporate the flour, until a sticky, shaggy dough is formed. This may take about 5 -10 minutes.
Gradually add in ½ cup of flour at a time, mixing and checking the dough before adding in another ½ cup of flour. You may not need all 5 cups of flour. You will want to mix the dough until it starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth and slightly tacky. This should take about 2-3 minutes with a stand mixer or 3-5 minutes by hand.
Knead the dough at medium speed with the dough hook attachment for 5-6 minutes or by hand for 8-10 minutes.
Lightly grease a large bowl. Add in the dough and turn it once to coat with the oil from the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean, lint free kitchen towel. Put in a warm area for 30-40 minutes, to allow the dough to double in size and when pressing a finger about ½” into the dough the bounce back should be slow.
Remove the towel or plastic and punch down the dough to deflate it. Turn it out onto a floured surface.
Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces, about 2 ounces each. Shape each piece of dough into a smooth ball, tucking the edges under and rolling it. Place each roll into a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking pan keeping a little space between each. 1 15
Cover the rolls again with a towel or plastic wrap, let rise again for another 30-40 minutes. This may take longer depending on the warmth of your environment,, you want them pretty poofy.
About 20 minutes before rolls are due to be ready, preheat the oven to 375° F.
Place the rolls on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 13-18 minutes until lightly browned. Brush baked rolls with melted butter.

Notes

If you are worried that your yeast isn't active, then proof the yeast first. Heat your milk to 120-130°F, mix in one tablespoon sugar, then sprinkle in one packet of yeast. Mix together. Then add it in with the liquids.
Use an instant-read food thermometer when you heat up the milk. It should be heated to 120°F-130°F.
Be careful not to add too much flour. Stop adding flour as soon as the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
If your kitchen isn’t warm, turn on the oven and place the dinner roll dough on top of it.

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition