There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house, isn’t there? Imagine breaking apart a warm, fluffy dinner roll — golden brown on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside, with a hint of buttery goodness. That first bite, where the warm dough melts in your mouth, takes you right back to family gatherings, laughter echoing around the table, and the joys of holiday traditions. These Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays aren’t just a side dish; they’re a memory in the making. It’s hard not to get excited for the season as these rolls make a chic entrance on your holiday table.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones or gathering around the Christmas feast, these homemade rolls are bound to steal the spotlight. They’re heavenly soft, easy to whip up, and can be prepped ahead of the big day. What’s not to love? Let’s bring your kitchen to life and bake a batch of these delectable rolls that will have everyone begging for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: In just about 25 minutes of prep time, plus a little patience while they rise, you’ll have fresh dinner rolls ready to impress.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of butter and warm milk creates a rich, comforting taste that’s impossible to resist.
Eye-Catching Appeal: These rolls are not only delicious but also bring a delightful warmth to your holiday table.
Flexible Serving: Perfect as a side for dinner, a base for sliders at brunch, or even enjoyed on their own with a pat of butter.
Diet-Friendly Options: With easy swaps, they can be made gluten-free or dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whole Milk: Using warm milk (about 110°F) brings out a lovely richness in the rolls and helps activate the yeast. An alternative to milk can be unsweetened almond milk, though it might slightly alter the flavor.
Instant Yeast: This is the star ingredient that creates puffiness and softness in your rolls. If you only have active dry yeast, the process is similar — just allow it to bloom in the warm milk first.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar not only sweetens but also nourishes the yeast to help it bloom, providing a beautifully golden crust.
Large Egg: Room temperature eggs add richness and act as a binding agent, giving your rolls the perfect texture.
Unsalted Butter: This soft butter will make your rolls light and airy. If you’re in a pinch, feel free to use margarine, but it may change the flavor slightly.
Bread Flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in chewier, fluffier rolls. If you only have all-purpose flour, it will work, but the rolls might not be quite as lofty.
Salt: A little salt balances out the sweetness and brings depth of flavor to your rolls.
Flaky Salt (optional): Sprinkling this on top just before serving adds a delightful crunch and flavor contrast.

How to Make Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Warm the Milk: Begin by warming your milk until it reaches about 110°F, either on the stovetop or in the microwave. It should feel warm to the touch but not hot. This temperature is vital for activating your yeast if you’re using instant yeast. A thermometer is handy to ensure accuracy!

Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer with a dough hook), pour in the warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, egg, and softened butter. Stir everything together until mixed well. You’re creating the base of your roll dough, so ensure the butter is nice and soft to blend effortlessly.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the bread flour and salt. Mix until you develop a soft dough that feels slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add additional flour, about a tablespoon at a time, up to 1/4 cup if needed. You want that perfect texture!

Knead the Dough: Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface or using your stand mixer on medium speed for about 8 to 10 minutes. The goal is a smooth, elastic, and stretchy dough. It should spring back slightly when poked. This step helps develop the gluten for a fluffy roll.

Let it Rise: Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which will take about 1 to 1.5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when you see it has doubled and looks puffy and soft.

Punch and Divide: Once risen, gently punch the dough down to release air bubbles. Divide it into 15 equal pieces, roughly 50-55g each. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by rolling it between your hands.

Arrange in Pan: Place the dough balls evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, arranging them in three rows of five. This formation ensures that they rise evenly and become wonderfully fluffy when baked.

Second Rise: Cover the pan with a cloth and let the dough rise for another 30 to 45 minutes, until puffy and almost doubled. This step is essential as it allows the rolls to develop that feathery texture we all love so much.

Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 17 to 18 minutes until they turn golden brown on top and are cooked through. Your kitchen will smell heavenly, so keep an eye out until they reach that lovely golden hue!

Brush and Serve: While the rolls are still warm, brush them generously with melted butter and, if you choose, sprinkle with a touch of flaky salt for an extra kick of flavor. Let the rolls cool slightly before serving, but not too much — they’re best enjoyed warm!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your dinner rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, which will keep their texture soft. If you need to store them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week in a good plastic or glass container. For extra longevity, freeze the rolls in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes. The texture will soften beautifully back to that irresistible fresh-out-of-the-oven state!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Remember, dough doesn’t like drafts — find a warm, cozy spot for your rising time.
Make sure your butter is soft but not melted; this creates a tender crumb.
If your dough is too tacky, don’t hesitate to add a little more flour during mixing.
For a flavor boost, consider adding herbs or cheese to the dough for a savory twist.
You can prepare the dough a day before, let it rise, punch it down, and refrigerate overnight. Shape and let it rise again before baking!
If the tops of your rolls brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil during baking.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about pulling apart a warm, freshly baked Buttery Soft Dinner Roll and slathering it with butter. Every part of this recipe speaks to the heart of the holiday season. With tender, pillowy rolls by your side, you’ve got the perfect complement to any meal. Don’t be afraid to let your creativity run wild — explore different flavors and variations! The most delightful part is sharing these rolls with family and friends, who will surely appreciate the love baked into each bite.

Let the smell of these rolls fill your home and get ready for a delicious holiday celebration!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different kinds of flour?

Absolutely! While bread flour provides the best texture, you can substitute all-purpose flour if necessary. Keep in mind the rolls may be slightly softer and less chewy, but they’ll still taste delicious.

What if I don’t have instant yeast?

If you only have active dry yeast, no worries! Just stir it into the warm milk with a tablespoon of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy before combining it with other ingredients.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Definitely! You can make the dough a day in advance, let it rise, punch it down, and refrigerate it overnight. Shape the rolls and let them rise again before baking for the freshest results.

What should I do if my rolls didn’t rise?

If your rolls didn’t rise well, it’s likely because the yeast was inactive. Make sure to check the expiration date on your yeast and ensure your milk isn’t too hot or cold when activating it. If all else fails, consider dough that’s not warm enough during the rising process and try again.

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Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls That Are Perfect for the Holidays

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Author: Jennifer
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 17-18 minutes
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: 15 rolls
Category: Baking
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Buttery Soft Dinner Rolls provide an irresistible flavor with simple prep. Perfect for any holiday gathering, they create cherished memories at the table.

Instructions

Warm the milk to about 110°F.
Combine warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, egg, and softened butter in a mixing bowl.
Gradually incorporate bread flour and salt until soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until elastic.
Let the dough rise in a greased bowl until doubled in size (about 1 to 1.5 hours).
Punch down and divide the dough into 15 equal pieces.
Shape each piece into a ball and arrange in a greased baking dish.
Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 17-18 minutes until golden brown.
Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt before serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for three months.
To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.