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The Best Dinner Rolls: 12 Fluffy Buttery Bites

Oh, the smell of fresh bread baking! There’s truly nothing quite like it. If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling warm, soft, and gloriously buttery dinner rolls right out of your own oven, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing my absolute favorite recipe for The Best Dinner Rolls Fluffy Buttery Perfection At Home. Honestly, making them is such a joy – they’re like little clouds of happiness that make any meal feel extra special. My grandma used to whip these up for Sunday dinners, and that aroma instantly brings back all the best memories.

Why You’ll Love These Fluffy Buttery Dinner Rolls

Oh my goodness, where do I even start? These rolls are just pure joy! First off, they have this incredibly soft and airy texture that just melts in your mouth. Plus, the rich, buttery flavor? Absolute heaven. You’d think something this delicious would be super complicated, but nope! They’re simple enough for beginners, so don’t be intimidated. And talk about versatile – they’re the perfect accompaniment to pretty much any meal, from a hearty soup to a fancy dinner. Best of all, your house will smell absolutely divine while they’re baking!

Gather Your Ingredients for The Best Dinner Rolls

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for these amazing rolls! You’ll need one cup of warm milk – think around 105-115°F, so it’s cozy but not too hot for the yeast. Then, grab 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast. For sweetness and to get that yeast going, we need 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Don’t forget 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted and cooled just a bit. Two large eggs, whisked up, and one teaspoon of salt are essential. Finally, have about 4 cups of all-purpose flour ready, plus a little extra for dusting. Easy peasy!

Essential Equipment for Making Dinner Rolls

To make these little bites of heaven, you’ll need a few trusty kitchen companions. Grab a large mixing bowl – the bigger the better for all that dough! Measuring cups and spoons are a must for accurate ingredients. A whisk will help get things started, and a dough scraper is super handy for turning and dividing the dough. Of course, you’ll need a good baking sheet to bake them on, and your trusty oven to do all the magic!

Step-by-Step Guide to Fluffy Buttery Perfection

Alright, buckle up, my friends, because it’s time to make some magic happen! This is where we turn simple ingredients into The Best Dinner Rolls Fluffy Buttery Perfection At Home. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every single step. These are easier than you think!

Activating the Yeast: The First Step to Fluffy Dinner Rolls

First things first, let’s wake up that yeast! In your big mixing bowl, gently combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Give it a little stir and let it hang out for 5 to 10 minutes. You want to see it get all foamy and bubbly – that’s the sign it’s alive and ready to make bread!

Mixing and Developing the Dough for Buttery Rolls

Now, pour in that lovely melted butter and the beaten eggs. Stir it all together. Next, add the salt and then gradually mix in the flour. Just add enough until a nice, soft dough starts to form. Turn this glorious dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it like you mean it for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for a dough that’s smooth and stretchy, not sticky at all!

Close-up of a baking pan filled with golden-brown, fluffy, and buttery dinner rolls.

The Crucial First Rise for The Best Dinner Rolls

Once your dough is perfectly kneaded, pop it into a lightly greased bowl. Cover it up with a clean kitchen towel or some plastic wrap, and find a warm spot in your kitchen. Let it chill out and rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s ready when it’s doubled in size – like magic!

Shaping and the Second Rise for Perfect Rolls

Okay, time to punch down that dough gently! Divide it into 12 to 16 equal pieces. I like to roll them into little balls, kinda like tiny cannonballs of deliciousness. Place them close together in a
greased baking pan. Cover them up again and let them have a second little spa session, rising for another 30 minutes. This is key for that super fluffy texture!

Close-up of a baking pan filled with golden-brown, fluffy, and buttery dinner rolls.

Baking and the Final Buttery Touch

While those rolls are having their second nap, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once they’re all puffed up and ready, pop that pan into the hot oven. Bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re a beautiful golden brown on top. As SOON as they come out, brush the tops generously with that reserved melted butter. Oh, that smell! It’s pure bliss. For more amazing bread recipes, check out this wonderful easy homemade bread recipe or these amazing sweet fluffy dinner rolls.

A pan of freshly baked, fluffy, and buttery dinner rolls, glistening with melted butter.

Tips for Achieving Fluffy Buttery Perfection

Okay, friends, let’s talk about those little tricks that turn good rolls into *amazing* rolls. Getting that fluffy, buttery perfection isn’t just about following the steps; it’s about a little bit of love and attention! First off, your milk temperature is crucial – too hot and you’ll kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t wake up. Aim for that cozy, warm feel. When you’re kneading, don’t be afraid to really work that dough smooth and elastic; it makes all the difference in texture. Find a warm, draft-free spot for your dough to rise – maybe near a slightly warm oven or in a sunny windowsill. And if your dough seems a little sticky after the first rise, resist the urge to dump in a TON of extra flour; a little bit of stickiness is okay, and it keeps them soft! For more inspiration, you’ve gotta try these amazing sweet fluffy dinner rolls – they are divine!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Dinner Rolls

Let’s chat about a few ingredients to make sure you get the very best results! For the milk, if you don’t have regular milk on hand, you can totally swap it for lactose-free milk or even a plain, unsweetened almond or soy milk. Just make sure it’s warmed up properly! And about the flour – all-purpose flour is perfect here, but if you happen to have bread flour, that works too and can give them an extra chewy texture, though I like the softness of all-purpose. For the butter, you can use salted butter if that’s all you have, but just omit the added salt in the dough. Easy swaps to get yummy rolls!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Dinner Rolls

Got questions about making these glorious rolls? I’ve got answers!

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose for these rolls?

Absolutely! Bread flour has a higher protein content, which can give your rolls a chewier texture and a bit more structure. They’ll still be wonderfully fluffy and buttery, just with a slightly different mouthfeel. It’s a great swap if you have it on hand!

How should I store leftover dinner rolls?

Once they’ve cooled down, store any leftovers in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you plan to keep them longer, popping them in the fridge is the way to go, though they might get a little firmer. They reheat beautifully!

Why didn’t my dough rise? What did I do wrong?

Oh no, dough not rising is a bummer! Usually, it’s one of two things: the milk was too hot and killed the yeast, or the yeast was old and not active. Make sure your milk is just warm to the touch, and always check the expiration date on your yeast. Sometimes, a cool kitchen can slow things down too – try finding a warmer spot for it!

Can I freeze these dinner rolls?

Yes, you totally can! Freeze them after they’ve been baked and cooled completely. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or gently reheat them in the oven.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

So, about the numbers! Just remember, this is an estimate, since every kitchen and every ingredient can be a little different. But for one of these yummy rolls, you’re looking at roughly 200 calories, about 8g of fat (with 5g of that being saturated fat), around 5g of protein, and about 28g of carbohydrates. It’s a good estimate to keep in mind!

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A close-up shot of a baking pan filled with golden-brown, fluffy dinner rolls, glistening with butter.

Fluffy Buttery Dinner Rolls


  • Author: recipebychefs.com
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 rolls 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Easy recipe for soft and buttery dinner rolls, perfect for any meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Stir in melted butter and beaten eggs.
  3. Add salt and gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
  4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Punch down dough and divide into 12-16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.
  7. Place rolls in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  10. Brush tops with melted butter immediately after removing from oven.

Notes

  • For extra soft rolls, you can add an extra tablespoon of butter to the dough.
  • Ensure your milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
  • You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: dinner rolls, homemade rolls, fluffy rolls, buttery rolls, bread recipe, easy baking

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