Delicious Golden Rich Dinner Rolls

Do you love soft, buttery dinner rolls as much as I do? I recently set out to make my ideal dinner roll. 

For me, the process of perfecting a recipe is just as satisfying as finally enjoying the end result. I love experimenting with different ingredients and techniques until I find the perfect combination. And that’s exactly what happened with these dinner rolls. It was such a satisfying experience to finally land on what I was working toward.

I love bringing my homemade baked goods to family gatherings and seeing everyone enjoy them. These dinner rolls were a huge hit and I’m excited to share their delicious taste with you.

When you take them out of the oven, you’re greeted with a warm and inviting aroma that’s hard to resist. Once you break one open, you’ll find a soft and tender interior with an airy and light texture. The rich, buttery flavor is what really sets these rolls apart, and a subtle sweetness balances out the savory notes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The process of making dinner rolls with rapid-rise yeast is surprisingly simple. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have warm, fluffy rolls on the table for dinner. 

• In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Make sure to place the yeast on the opposite side of the salt, as combining them directly can deactivate the yeast. Start mixing the dry ingredients slowly for 2 minutes.
• Add the whole egg and egg yolk to the flour mixture and slowly pour in warm milk while mixing. Mix medium-low speed for 5 minutes. This is a wetter dough so it will be slightly sticky to the touch. Resist the temptation to add more flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you find the dough is too sticky let it rest for 5-10 minutes and then begin to knead again. You can also use the slap-and-fold method to strengthen the dough.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 45-60 minutes until it doubles in size.
• After resting, divide the dough into equal-sized portions and shape each portion into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls into a greased 13″ x 9″ pan, leaving some space between each roll for expansion. Melt the tablespoon of butter and with a pastry brush, brush the tops of the rolls Cover with saran wrap and a clean towel and place in a warm dry place. Let rise for 30-45 minutes
• Halfway through your rise time, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes.  When rolls have doubled in size, place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and with a pastry brush, coat the top of the rolls.

Essential Ingredients and Equipment

1. All-Purpose Flour: This versatile flour provides the necessary structure and texture for your dinner rolls.
2. Rapid Rise Yeast: This type of yeast allows for quicker rising times, perfect for when you’re in a hurry to enjoy freshly baked rolls.
3. Sugar: Sugar serves as food for the yeast, helping it to ferment and produce carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise. It also contributes a subtle sweetness to the flavor of the rolls.
4. Salt: Salt not only enhances the flavor of the rolls but also regulates the fermentation process, ensuring the dough rises at the right pace.
5. Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the rolls while also providing moisture, resulting in a tender crumb.
6. Milk: Warm milk adds richness and tenderness to the dough, resulting in softer and more flavorful rolls. You can use whole milk or 2% milk for best results.

Equipment Needed:

1. Mixing Bowl: Use a large mixing bowl to combine the ingredients and knead the dough. Make sure the bowl is large enough to accommodate the rising dough.
2. Stand Mixer or Wooden Spoon: You can mix and knead the dough either with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment or by hand using a sturdy wooden spoon.
3. Kitchen Scale: Use a kitchen scale to accurately measure the ingredients by weight, ensuring the success of the recipe.
4. Kitchen Thermometer: Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the water and milk. The ideal temperature for activating yeast is around 110°F/45°C. 
5. 13”x9” pan: Prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents the rolls from sticking during baking.
6. Clean Kitchen Towel: Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel while they rise. This helps to create a warm and humid environment, which encourages proper rising.
7. Oven: Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature before baking the rolls. This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature for even baking.
8. Pastry Brush (Optional): Use a pastry brush to brush melted butter on top of the baked rolls. This adds a glossy finish and extra flavor to the rolls.

Techniques for Success

Mixing and Kneading

One of the great things about rapid-rise yeast is that it doesn’t require proofing, so you can skip the step of dissolving it in warm water. Simply mix the yeast in with the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, then let it rest and rise for 45-60 minutes.

Rising and Baking

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch down and divide your rolls into 12 sections, shape your rolls, cover them with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size. With rapid-rise yeast, this should only take about 20-30 minutes. Then, bake the rolls in a preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through. The result? Perfectly fluffy dinner rolls in half the time!

Customizing Your Rolls

While classic dinner rolls are delicious on their own, you can easily customize them to suit your taste preferences. Try adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for a savory twist, or sprinkle the tops with sesame seeds, everything bagel topping, or sea salt for extra flavor. The possibilities are endless!

Pairing with Your Favorite Dishes

Classic dinner rolls with rapid-rise yeast are incredibly versatile and can be served alongside a wide variety of dishes. Pair them with hearty soups and stews for a comforting winter meal, or serve them alongside grilled meats and vegetables for a summertime barbecue. No matter the occasion, dinner rolls are sure to be a hit.

Don’t Forget the Spreads

Once your dinner rolls are fresh out of the oven, it’s time to dress them up with your favorite spreads. From creamy butter and honey to savory garlic herb butter, the possibilities are endless. Don’t forget to save a few rolls for leftover turkey sandwiches the next day!

Passing on the Legacy

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of passing on family recipes to future generations. Whether it’s teaching your children how to bake dinner rolls or sharing the recipe with friends and neighbors, preserving tradition is a wonderful way to keep memories alive. Baking dinner rolls isn’t just about the end result; it’s about the memories you create along the way. Whether you’re baking with family or friends, take the time to enjoy the process and savor the moments you spend together in the kitchen. After all, it’s these moments that truly make life sweet.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, I hope this recipe has inspired you to roll up your sleeves and get baking. With the convenience of rapid-rise yeast, you can enjoy the taste of tradition in no time. Happy baking!