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Cozy Soft Dinner Rolls

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These cozy soft dinner rolls feature a pillowy texture and buttery flavor, perfect for any occasion from family dinners to holiday feasts. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and a gentle kneading technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 cup (240ml) warm whole milk at about 110°F (43°C)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon honey (can substitute sugar with honey)
  • For brushing: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F) with 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 large room-temperature eggs and 4 tablespoons melted butter. Add the foamy yeast mixture and stir gently.
  3. Add dry ingredients: Gradually add 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 ½ teaspoons salt to the wet mixture. Stir until dough begins to come together; dough will be slightly sticky but soft.
  4. Knead the dough: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8–10 minutes or use a stand mixer with dough hook on medium speed for 6–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour or water as needed to adjust consistency.
  5. First rise: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  6. Shape the rolls: Punch down dough, divide into 12 equal pieces (~2 ounces each), and shape each into a smooth ball by tucking edges underneath and pinching to seal.
  7. Second rise: Arrange rolls on greased baking sheet or round cake pan, cover, and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  9. Butter finish: Remove rolls from oven and immediately brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  10. Cool and enjoy: Let rolls cool slightly on a wire rack and serve warm for best texture.

Notes

Do not rush rising times for soft, airy rolls. Handle dough gently when shaping to preserve air pockets. Brush rolls with melted butter immediately after baking to keep them soft and shiny. Milk temperature should be warm, not hot, to activate yeast properly. For dairy-free, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum but expect texture differences.

Nutrition

Keywords: dinner rolls, soft rolls, homemade bread, pillowy rolls, easy bread recipe, buttery rolls, yeast rolls

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/cozy-soft-dinner-rolls-recipe-easy-homemade-pillowy-texture-in-5-steps/