American dinner rolls became fluffy in 1876 when bakers discovered adding potato water creates steam pockets during baking.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Indulge in the warm, fluffy delight of homemade dinner rolls that will elevate any meal without the fuss! With just a handful of simple ingredients like rich butter and fresh yeast, you’ll whip up these golden treasures in no time. Forget store-bought – once you experience the heavenly aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture of these rolls, there’s no turning back!
Prep
150
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
24
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 24🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- ⅓ cup warm water (79.2 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 5 tbsp salted butter, softened (70 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1⅓ cups warm milk (319 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour (500-500 g)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (66 g)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (11.2 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1½ tsp salt (7.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Proof yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar, 5-10 min until foamy
- 2
Add milk, sugar, butter, egg, salt and 1 cup flour. Mix together
- 3
Slowly add remaining flour, knead 5-6 min until smooth and slightly sticky
- 4
Rise in greased bowl, covered, 1 to 1½ hrs until doubled
- 5
Divide in half, roll each into a ¼ inch thick rectangle
- 6
Cut into 12 rectangles each, roll up seam-side down on baking sheet
- 7
Second rise covered, 1 to 1½ hrs until doubled
- 8
Bake 375°F 12-15 min until lightly golden — brush with butter the second they come out
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Proof yeast in water heated to exactly 105-110°F because temperatures above 115°F kill yeast cells while below 95°F slows activation dramatically.technique105-110°F
- ✓Knead until the dough passes the windowpane test - stretch a small piece until translucent without tearing, indicating proper gluten development for optimal rise.technique
- ✓Create a humid environment for rising by placing a bowl of hot water on the oven's bottom rack, maintaining 75-80°F temperature for consistent 90-minute doubling.timing75-80°F
- ✓Brush with melted butter immediately after baking while internal temperature is 190°F+ so steam helps butter penetrate the crust for maximum flavor absorption.timing190°F+
- ✓Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for 12-14% protein content, creating stronger gluten networks that trap CO2 more effectively for higher, fluffier rolls.ingredient12-14% protein
Share this recipe
Prep
150
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
24
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
American dinner rolls became fluffy in 1876 when bakers discovered adding potato water creates steam pockets during baking.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Indulge in the warm, fluffy delight of homemade dinner rolls that will elevate any meal without the fuss! With just a handful of simple ingredients like rich butter and fresh yeast, you’ll whip up these golden treasures in no time. Forget store-bought – once you experience the heavenly aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture of these rolls, there’s no turning back!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 24🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- ⅓ cup warm water (79.2 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 5 tbsp salted butter, softened (70 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1⅓ cups warm milk (319 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour (500-500 g)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (66 g)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (11.2 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1½ tsp salt (7.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Proof yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar, 5-10 min until foamy
- 2
Add milk, sugar, butter, egg, salt and 1 cup flour. Mix together
- 3
Slowly add remaining flour, knead 5-6 min until smooth and slightly sticky
- 4
Rise in greased bowl, covered, 1 to 1½ hrs until doubled
- 5
Divide in half, roll each into a ¼ inch thick rectangle
- 6
Cut into 12 rectangles each, roll up seam-side down on baking sheet
- 7
Second rise covered, 1 to 1½ hrs until doubled
- 8
Bake 375°F 12-15 min until lightly golden — brush with butter the second they come out
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Proof yeast in water heated to exactly 105-110°F because temperatures above 115°F kill yeast cells while below 95°F slows activation dramatically.technique105-110°F
- ✓Knead until the dough passes the windowpane test - stretch a small piece until translucent without tearing, indicating proper gluten development for optimal rise.technique
- ✓Create a humid environment for rising by placing a bowl of hot water on the oven's bottom rack, maintaining 75-80°F temperature for consistent 90-minute doubling.timing75-80°F
- ✓Brush with melted butter immediately after baking while internal temperature is 190°F+ so steam helps butter penetrate the crust for maximum flavor absorption.timing190°F+
- ✓Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for 12-14% protein content, creating stronger gluten networks that trap CO2 more effectively for higher, fluffier rolls.ingredient12-14% protein