Description
These best homemade dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery, perfect for any meal. With a slightly sweet flavor, they rise beautifully and bake to a golden-brown finish, ideal for family dinners or holiday feasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- ½ cup warm water (about 105°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- 1 egg (room temperature, lightly beaten)
- ½ Tablespoon sea salt
- 3-4 cups all-purpose flour
Topping
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter (melted)
- Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Proof the Yeast: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: Once the yeast is foamy, add melted butter, whole milk, and the lightly beaten egg to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add 3 cups of all-purpose flour and sea salt, then knead using the dough hook. Gradually add more flour as needed until a slightly tacky but cohesive dough ball forms.
- First Rise: Grease a large bowl, transfer the dough into it, and cover with a damp cloth. Place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Prepare Dough Balls: Once risen, lightly flour your hands and gently press the dough to remove gas. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions using a food scale for uniformity. Roll each portion into smooth balls and place them evenly spaced in four rows of three on the prepared baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough balls with a damp towel, ensuring the towel doesn’t touch the dough to avoid sticking. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: When the rolls have risen about halfway, preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped or reach an internal temperature of 185-190°F measured with an instant-read thermometer.
- Add Topping: Immediately after removing from the oven, brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly, then serve the dinner rolls warm for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ingredient Substitutions: Whole milk can be swapped with 2% milk or half and half for desirable richness. Use white or organic cane sugar; honey can replace sugar if preferred. Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted butter. All-purpose flour is recommended, but whole wheat flour can be used for a healthier option with a different texture.
- Make Ahead & Freeze: After portioning dough into balls and placing them in the baking pan (before the second rise), cover tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. To bake from frozen, let them thaw and rise fully before baking or bake frozen rolls starting at 325°F for 25 minutes, then 375°F for 10 more minutes.
- Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze baked rolls in airtight containers or ziplock bags for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (approx. 60g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
