Classic Dinner Rolls
These Classic Dinner Rolls are soft, buttery, and unbelievably easy to make. They’re the kind of rolls that turn a simple dinner into a special occasion and make your kitchen smell like a bakery. Perfect for holiday tables, Sunday dinners, or just because, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast.
Servings: 15
Calories: 234kcal
Ingredients
- 2½ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 package) or instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup milk warm to the touch, between 100 and 110 F degrees
- 8 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg white lightly beaten for brushing rolls
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds optional
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- To the bowl of your mixer add the yeast, the 1 tbsp of sugar and the warm milk. Gently whisk it all together and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. After this time, if the yeast is good, it will froth.
- Add the butter, sugar, egg yolks, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix with the dough hook on low speed, until it's all incorporated. Increase to medium high speed and knead for another 5 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky but still soft to the touch.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, or the bowl from your mixer and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise until it doubles in size, about 45 minutes to an hour. See notes for rising.
- I normally use a 9x13 inch baking dish for these, so lightly grease your baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Dust your work surface with a little flour, place the dough then press it down so that it deflates. Shape it into a ball. No need for additional kneading. Divide the dough in 16 equal pieces. To shape each piece into a roll, take a piece and flatten it with your palm or fingers. Fold it up into a ball by pinching the sides together, turn it over and roll it briefly. See video. Place the roll with the smooth side up onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise again until it's doubled in size, another 30 minutes or so.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Remove the plastic wrap or kitchen towel and brush the rolls with the egg white, so that they end up nice and shiny. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds, if preferred.
- Bake the rolls for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Make ahead: The dough can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Let it rise in the fridge overnight, then bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
- Freezer friendly: Bake the rolls, let them cool completely, then freeze in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes before serving.
- Custom toppings: Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even a sprinkle of sea salt all make great finishing touches.
- Extra soft tip: Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven, then cover with a clean towel while they cool to trap steam and keep them pillowy soft.
- Portion size: Divide the dough into 12 for larger rolls, 15 for standard dinner rolls, or 18 for slider-sized buns.
Nutrition
Serving: 1roll | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
