Description
These Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for any meal. Made from scratch with simple ingredients like yeast, milk, butter, and flour, these rolls are a comforting addition to your dinner table. They require minimal prep, rise twice for extra fluffiness, and bake to a golden brown with a buttery finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Yeast Mixture
- 1 envelope active dried yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup warm water (about room temperature warm)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
For the Finish
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Melted butter (to brush on hot rolls)
Instructions
- Activate yeast and combine liquid ingredients: Whisk the active dried yeast into the warm water and set aside until bubbles start to form on the surface, indicating the yeast is active. Meanwhile, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and sugar in a separate bowl. Add the activated yeast mixture to the milk mixture and whisk until fully combined.
- Make dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour and salt. Pour in the combined liquid mixture. Knead on medium-low speed for 5-6 minutes until you achieve a smooth, elastic dough ball. If the dough is too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour and knead until the texture improves.
- First rise: Cover the dough bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. This allows the yeast to ferment and the dough to expand, ensuring a light texture in the finished rolls.
- Shape rolls and second rise: Punch down the risen dough to release excess air, then divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them evenly spaced in a greased 9×11 inch baking pan. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again at room temperature until they look big and puffed up, about 20-30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the egg to prepare an egg wash. Lightly brush the tops of the risen rolls with the egg wash — be careful not to use too much or it may cook into scrambled eggs on top. Bake the rolls for around 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with melted butter to add flavor and a shiny finish. Remove the rolls from the pan and serve warm for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast to avoid killing it; bubbles indicate yeast is active.
- If dough feels too sticky while kneading, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Egg wash gives the rolls a beautiful golden color and sheen.
- You can substitute milk with plant-based milk for a dairy-free version but texture may vary slightly.
- For softer rolls, brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Make sure to let the dough rise fully for fluffy rolls; rising times may vary based on room temperature.
