Bake incredibly soft, fluffy, and buttery yeast rolls from scratch. This easy recipe delivers bakery-style comfort food perfect for any family meal or holiday gathering, tasting far better than store-bought options.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:2 hours 20 min
Yield:12 to 16 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the topping: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the topping: 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for Texas Roadhouse style)
Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Let this stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Mix wet ingredients: Add the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until combined.
Add flour: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. You may not need all the flour.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape the rolls: Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide the dough into 12 or 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls close together in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
Second rise: Cover the pan loosely and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Butter topping: While the rolls are still hot, melt the topping butter. Brush the tops generously with the melted butter. For a sweet, Texas Roadhouse style finish, mix the honey into the melted butter before brushing.
Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
For the softest rolls, ensure your milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
If you want to make these ahead, you can refrigerate the shaped rolls for up to 12 hours after the second rise. Add 5 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
This recipe makes wonderfully fluffy homemade bread that rivals any bakery.