Sweet And Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe
Dinner rolls are absolutely amazing and if you not careful it is easy to let them ruin your dinner when you eat too many and leave little room for much else. Making dinner rolls is a great way to make meals more filling and lower your grocery bill.
When I was in high school I worked in a program at the school over the summer and the culinary arts group would make these amazing rolls we would call WIA Rolls after the program. These tools were sweet and buttery. They used a premade bread dough but eventually, I worked out how to make the sweet and buttery bread rolls myself from scratch and things have never been the same. My kids go nuts over these.
How to save money with homemade dinner rolls
When many people decide to make their own dinner rolls they often go for a small bag of flour and the small packs of yeast at the grocery store but this can greatly increase the cost and even make homemade rolls cost more than buying a package of premade ones from the grocery store.
When it comes to items you should buy in bulk to save money baking supplies should be at the top of the list. Skip the small bags and get the largest bags of store brand four, sugar, and bulk packages of yeast to save money on making your own bread and bread products.
What you need to make these dinner rolls
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
For brushing:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
How to make your own buttery dinner rolls
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture, and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
Place the dough balls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each.
Cover the baking dish with a cloth or plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
Once out of the oven, brush the rolls with more melted butter for extra flavor and a shiny finish.
Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving.
Creative ways to flavor dinner rolls
Garlic and Herb Rolls:
Mix minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, and parsley), and a bit of grated Parmesan cheese into the dough before shaping the rolls.
Honey Butter Rolls:
Brush the rolls with a mixture of melted butter and honey before and after baking.
Cheddar and Jalapeño Rolls:
Fold shredded cheddar cheese and finely diced jalapeños into the dough. You can also sprinkle some on top before baking.
Cinnamon Sugar Rolls:
For a sweet twist, roll the dough with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before shaping into rolls. After baking, you can drizzle a simple glaze over the top.
Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Rolls:
Incorporate finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil into the dough for a savory and aromatic option.
Orange Cranberry Rolls:
Add orange zest and dried cranberries to the dough. Once baked, you can glaze the rolls with a simple orange icing.
Everything Bagel Rolls:
Mix together sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion flakes, garlic powder, and a little salt. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the rolls before baking.
Maple Pecan Rolls:
Add chopped pecans to the dough and brush the rolls with a maple syrup glaze after baking.
Parmesan and Black Pepper Rolls:
Mix grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper into the dough. You can also sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking.
Olive and Rosemary Rolls:
Fold chopped Kalamata olives and fresh rosemary into the dough for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Pumpkin Spice Rolls:
Add pumpkin puree and a mix of fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) to the dough. After baking, you can glaze with a simple cream cheese frosting.
Herb Butter Glazed Rolls:
Brush the rolls with a melted herb-infused butter (try a mix of thyme, oregano, and parsley) right after they come out of the oven.
These rolls make a great base for homemade sliders like these turkey and cheese sliders or ham and cheese sliders to help use up Thanksgiving Leftovers. If you are looking for a slider option for any other time of you you will love these pulled pork sliders.
