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Soft Dinner Rolls

Tackling homemade soft dinner rolls can often seem daunting, but the secret to perfect dinner rolls is simpler than you might think. With just seven key ingredients, you can create rolls that are not only tender and flaky but also rich in buttery goodness. These dinner rolls aren’t just a side dish; they’re showstoppers that might just steal the spotlight from any entrée.

For those who have hesitated to bake bread due to the perceived complexity, there’s no need to worry. Baking homemade rolls is a delightful venture that is now more approachable than ever. Picture serving a basket of warm, soft rolls, the fruits of your labor, that are sure to impress your guests or provide comfort to a friend in need. Baking with yeast doesn’t have to be intimidating—soon, you’ll be doing it with ease and confidence.

Guide to Crafting Homemade Dinner Rolls

First, prepare the dough by mixing the necessary ingredients. Use a mixer with a paddle attachment or dough hook to ease the process, or mix by hand for a bit of a workout! Once combined, the next step is kneading. Whether you opt for using a mixer or your hands, ensure the dough is smooth and elastic.

After kneading, cover the dough and set aside in a warm spot to rise. This should take about one to two hours. When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to remove any air bubbles, and then form the pieces into roll shapes.

Place your shaped rolls into a greased baking dish or round cake pans prepped with cooking spray. Allow the rolls to rise again, which will take approximately one hour. They are ready to bake when they have puffed up nicely.

Preheat your oven and bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes. You are aiming for a delightful golden brown color to indicate they are cooked through. For an extra touch of flavor, brush the freshly baked dinner rolls with a mixture of honey and melted butter. Enjoy the aroma and taste of homemade bread, made right from scratch.

Crafting Supple Dinner Breads with Enhanced Dough

Creating supple and succulent dinner rolls is an art that hinges on the composition of the dough. These breads are unlike their crustier cousins, needing a dough enriched with fats to achieve their distinctive texture. Incorporate whole milk, soft unsalted butter, and a fresh egg into your dough to infuse both flavor and lushness.

Embark on a culinary journey with only seven key components:

• Whole Milk: Warm whole milk awakens the yeast and sets the foundation for rolls with exquisite taste and consistency.
• Yeast: Select either active dry yeast or an instant variety for leavening; instant yeast may include dough conditioners, enhancing the rise.
• Granulated Sugar: A spoonful of sugar not only sweetens your dough but also invigorates the yeast and softens the mixture.
• Fresh Egg: Include an egg for added structure and a richness in flavor.
• Room-Temperature Butter: For a guaranteed depth in taste and tender texture, fold in butter that’s been softened.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is indispensable for bringing out the full array of flavors in your bread.
• Flour: Tailor the bread’s chewiness by choosing either all-purpose flour or bread flour—with no adjustments necessary when switching between them.

Dough Preparation:

1. Mixing: Begin by combining your ingredients in a stand mixer, ensuring the dough is uniformly mixed.
2. Kneading: Then, engage in a thorough kneading process, either utilizing your mixer’s attachment or by hand on a floured surface, until the dough is smooth and pliable.
3. First Rise: Allow the dough to rest in a lightly oiled or greased bowl, covering it to keep it moist.
4. Punch and Shape: After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to expel air pockets and form the dough into balls.

Transfer the balls into a baking dish, encouraging them to expand and unite lightly as they embark on their second rise. After about an hour, these buns will puff up, ready to be baked into golden, fluffy treasures.

Crafting Your Soft Dinner Rolls

To achieve a classic round roll:

• Divide your dough into 14-16 evenly sized pieces using a sharp knife or dough scraper.
• Take one piece at a time and pull the dough from top-center to the underside, creating tension on the surface.
• While rotating, pinch the bottom to seal the dough, ensuring a smooth top.

This method ensures your rolls turn uniformly shaped, just like when making hot cross buns!

Preparing Yeast Rolls in Advance

If you’re pressed for time, you can shape your yeast roll dough after the initial rise and store the shaped rolls covered in the fridge for up to 16 hours. When ready to bake, take them out and let them warm up to room temperature, allowing for a second rise on the countertop, which should take approximately 1 to 2 hours.

• Refrigerating Dough:
  • Step 1: Shape the rolls after the dough has risen.
  • Step 2: Tightly cover the rolls with plastic wrap.
  • Step 3: Refrigerate for no more than 16 hours.
  • Step 4: Remove from fridge at least 3 hours before baking.

For those planning further ahead, you can:

• Freezing Dough:
  • Step 1: Follow the same steps as refrigerating.
  • Step 2: Freeze rolls on a baking pan.
  • Step 3: Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.
  • Step 4: Thaw and let rise for about 4 to 5 hours at room temperature before baking.

These methods are ideal for serving freshly baked rolls without last-minute hassle on festive occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas morning. Remember not to rush the thawing and rising process; patience is key for the perfect fluffy texture.

Tasty Varieties of Dinner Rolls

Transform your dinner rolls into a delightful accompaniment with these simple mix-ins:

• Rosemary-Infused Rolls – Add 2 tablespoons of chopped rosemary to infuse a fragrant herbal aroma.
• Cheesy Rolls – Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar for a gooey, cheesy delight. Feel free to experiment with other semi-hard cheeses too.
• Garlic Herb Rolls – Combine 2 teaspoons each of dried rosemary, basil, and parsley with a teaspoon of garlic powder for a flavorful twist.

While standard rolls are delightful, these varieties elevate the side dish experience:

Flavor Twist	Description
Garlicky Herbaceous Rolls	A savory blend of garlic and herbs complements any plate.
Honey-Kissed Rolls	A drizzle of honey adds a subtle sweetness.
Wholesome Wheat Rolls	Opt for 100% whole wheat to keep things hearty and nutritious.
Sage Brown Butter Rolls	Sage-infused butter offers a rich, decadent taste.

Complement your easy-to-make rolls with mains like beef stew or sides like mashed potatoes. Skip the big loaves for these, and pair with buttermilk biscuits or breadsticks for egg-free options. And for the pizza lovers, why not try pull-apart rolls with a pizza twist next time?

3 Success Tips

• Confidence with Yeast: Consult a comprehensive yeast baking guide to clarify your queries about yeast. Remember, freshness matters – check your yeast’s expiration date before you start.
• Measuring Mastery: Accurately measuring flour is crucial for light, airy rolls. The pros advise to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off; scooping can lead to overly dense dough.
• Versatile Enjoyment: Don’t confine your rolls to dinner alone. They’re a delightful addition to any meal, be it breakfast sandwiches or a comforting soup side. Trust in your abilities – with a bit of practice, bread-making wizardry is well within your reach.

Glimpse Inside Your Bread Basket!

Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe Details

Crafting these delightful bread rolls is a breeze with just seven essential components. Their tender texture and rich, buttery taste ensure they’ll overshadow any entree they accompany. They’re easily made ahead of time with handy freeze or overnight preparation options. For any queries on yeast, my detailed guide has got you covered.

• Warm 1 cup whole milk (240ml) to roughly 110°F (43°C)
• Instant yeast, 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (a standard packet from Platinum Yeast by Red Star)
• Granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons, separated
• 1 large egg for richness
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (56g), softened and divided into 4 slices
• 1 teaspoon salt for flavor
• 3 cups of all-purpose or bread flour (390g), measured with care (spoon & level method)
• For an optional glaze: Blend 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (28g) with 1 tablespoon honey

How To:

1. Start by combining the milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar in your mixer’s bowl. Let them mingle for about 5 minutes.
2. Toss in the remaining sugar, egg, slices of butter, salt, and one cup of flour. Begin mixing on low speed, pausing to scrape the bowl, then incorporate the remaining flour.
3. The dough should eventually pull away from the bowl sides and be slightly sticky but manageable for kneading.
4. Knead this mixture for about five minutes, and then let it prove until it’s puffy and doubled in volume.
5. After greasing your chosen pan, shape the dough into 14-16 balls and arrange them neatly.
6. Let these formed rolls have their second rising, aiming for a puffed appearance.
7. Bake in a preheated 350°F (177°C) oven, positioned on a lower rack to prevent top burning, for about 20-25 minutes until gloriously golden.

Soft Dinner Rolls Pro Tips:

• For Freezing:
  • After shaping the dough, you can freeze these potential beauties for 3 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw in a greased pan for about 4-5 hours, then bake as usual.
  • Already-baked rolls can also be frozen, then thawed and warmed for your enjoyment.
• Overnight Prep:
  • If you’re planning ahead, refrigerate your shaped rolls for up to 15 hours. Before you need them, give them 1-2 hours at room temperature to rise.
• Kitchen Gear & Gadgets:
  • A stand mixer can make the process smoother, but you can use a simple mixing bowl with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Glass baking pans are preferable since they bake more evenly, but any pan will serve well if you keep an eye on it.
• About the Yeast and Flour:
  • Whether you choose Red Star’s Platinum or active dry yeast, make sure to adjust rising times accordingly.
  • You have the liberty to decide between all-purpose or bread flour. While bread flour leads to chewier rolls, all-purpose offers convenience without compromising the fluffiness of these rolls.