What Makes Soft Dinner Rolls So Special
With just a handful of simple ingredients, soft dinner rolls deliver pillowy warmth and buttery richness that melts in your mouth. These golden beauties are lightly sweetened with a touch of honey, making these soft dinner rolls perfect for any occasion, or holiday feasts. There’s something magical about pulling apart a freshly baked roll, steam rising as the tender crumb gives way pure comfort in every bite. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why are homemade soft dinner rolls better than store-bought?” it’s all in the love, fresh ingredients, and letting the dough rise just right.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked soft dinner rolls wafting through the kitchen. These warm, golden beauties are the ultimate comfort food—perfect for pairing with soups, holiday meals, or enjoying with a pat of butter straight from the oven. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just craving something cozy, homemade soft dinner rolls offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture that store-bought versions simply can’t match.
The secret to irresistibly fluffy soft dinner rolls lies in the balance of ingredients and proper rise time. Using warm milk activates the yeast just right, while a touch of honey adds subtle sweetness without overpowering the dough. With a few simple tweaks, like substituting part of the flour with whole wheat or brushing the tops with honey butter, you can easily customize these rolls to suit your taste or dietary needs.
I’ll never forget the first time I made these for my family—my youngest declared them “clouds with butter.” But here’s a little secret: if your kitchen is chilly, let the dough rise near a warm oven (not too hot!) to help it along. And don’t skip that honey-butter glaze—it adds the loveliest sheen and whisper of sweetness. Trust me, one batch won’t last long!
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Ingredients for Soft Dinner Rolls
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into 4 pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups (390g) all-purpose flour or bread flour* (spooned & leveled)
- optional topping: 2 Tablespoons (28g) melted unsalted butter mixed with 1 Tablespoon honey
Cook Time for Soft Dinner Rolls
These soft dinner rolls require a little patience (good things come to those who wait!), but most of the time is hands-off while the dough rises. In total, you’ll need about 3 hours from start to finish, with just 25 minutes of active prep. If you’re short on time, try my cottage cheese bread recipe—it’s quicker but just as comforting. Here’s the breakdown:
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours (1st rise) + 1 hour (2nd rise)
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
How to Make Soft Dinner Rolls
1. Prepare the dough
Whisk the warm milk, yeast, and 1 Tablespoon of sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes. If you do not own a stand mixer, you can do this in a large mixing bowl and mix the dough together with a large wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
2. Mix the ingredients
Add the remaining sugar, egg, butter, salt, and 1 cup flour. With a dough hook or paddle attachment, mix on low speed for 30 seconds, scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the remaining flour. Beat on medium speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes.
3. Knead the dough
Keep the dough in the mixer and beat for an additional 5 full minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 full minutes. If the dough becomes too sticky, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time until you have a soft, slightly tacky dough.
4. 1st Rise
Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and allow to rise in a warm environment for 1-2 hours or until double in size.
5. Shape the rolls
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Punch down the dough and divide into 14-16 equal pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball and arrange in the pan.
6. 2nd Rise
Cover shaped rolls and allow to rise until puffy, about 1 hour.
7. Bake the rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with optional honey butter topping.
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
After making these soft dinner rolls countless times (my family insists on them weekly!), here are my favorite ways to customize them:
- Herb lovers: Add 1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme to the flour for savory rolls—perfect with holiday meals.
- Lighter option: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour (add 1 extra Tbsp milk).
- Extra-soft texture: Brush rolls with milk instead of butter before baking.
- Freeze for later: Baked rolls freeze beautifully for up to 3 months—thaw and rewarm in a 300°F oven.
Soft Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk warmed to 110°F (43°C)
- 2.25 tsp instant yeast 1 standard packet
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar divided
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened, cut into pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled (390g)
- 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter optional topping
- 1 tbsp honey optional topping
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- 9x13 Baking Pan
Method
- Whisk the warm milk, yeast, and 1 Tablespoon of sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining sugar, egg, butter, salt, and 1 cup flour. With a dough hook or paddle attachment, mix on low speed for 30 seconds, scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the remaining flour. Beat on medium speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes.
- Keep the dough in the mixer and beat for an additional 5 full minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 full minutes. If the dough becomes too sticky, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time until you have a soft, slightly tacky dough.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and allow to rise in a warm environment for 1-2 hours or until double in size.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Punch down the dough and divide into 14-16 equal pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball and arrange in the pan.
- Cover shaped rolls and allow to rise until puffy, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with optional honey butter topping.
Nutrition
Notes
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutrition and Health Benefits
While these soft dinner rolls are certainly a treat, they offer more than just comfort. The milk provides calcium and protein, while the egg adds richness and nutrients like choline. For those watching their sugar intake, you can reduce the honey by half—the rolls will still be delightfully tender. If you’re exploring healthier baking, consider trying a version with whole wheat flour (though you may need to adjust liquid slightly). According to nutrition experts, homemade breads typically contain fewer preservatives than store-bought versions.
A Lighter Version of Soft Dinner Rolls
For those days when you want all the comfort with fewer calories, here are my favorite tweaks: replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce (it sounds odd, but works beautifully!), or use almond milk instead of whole milk. If you’re avoiding refined sugar, coconut sugar blends wonderfully with the honey glaze. For a protein boost inspired by my cottage cheese bagels, try adding 1/4 cup blended cottage cheese to the dough. Many bakers, like those at The Stay at Home Chef, swear by these small swaps that make a big difference.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
When my dear friend Marie was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I started experimenting with sugar-conscious versions of all our favorite recipes—including these soft dinner rolls. The good news? With a few simple swaps, you can still enjoy that pillowy texture without the blood sugar spike. For a low-glycemic option, try replacing half the honey with pure monk fruit sweetener (it blends beautifully with butter for the glaze). If you’re avoiding dairy, almond milk works wonderfully in place of whole milk—just warm it gently to activate the yeast. And here’s a trick from my gluten-free baking adventures: adding 1 tsp psyllium husk powder helps bind alternative flours without compromising tenderness.
How to Serve Soft Dinner Rolls
There’s a reason these soft dinner rolls star at every holiday table in our home—they’re like edible hugs! I love serving them warm in a rustic basket lined with a checkered napkin, just like my grandmother did. For Sunday suppers, pair them with creamy potato leek soup or slather them with cinnamon honey butter for breakfast. Last winter, my neighbor brought over her famous beef stew, and these rolls soaked up every last drop of that rich broth—pure magic! According to Our Best Bites, the secret to next level presentation is brushing rolls with extra honey butter right before serving These soft dinner rolls are also excellent for making mini sandwiches or sliders at casual get togethers.
Mistakes to Avoid
After teaching countless baking classes, I’ve seen the same soft dinner roll mishaps pop up—but don’t worry, they’re all easily avoided! First, never use milk that’s too hot (over 115°F will kill the yeast). I learned this the hard way when my first batch never rose—my kitchen smelled like a bakery but looked like a crime scene! Second, resist adding extra flour when the dough feels sticky during kneading. As my friend Sarah from Bless This Mess says, “A slightly tacky dough makes the fluffiest rolls.” Lastly, don’t skip the second rise—those extra minutes develop flavor and texture. If you’re short on time, try my quick-rise bagel method by placing the dough in a slightly warmed oven.
How to Store Soft Dinner Rolls
Nothing beats fresh-from-the-oven soft dinner rolls, but they can stay delicious for days with proper storage. I always freeze half the batch in a ziplock bag—just like my mom did for unexpected guests. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm at 300°F for 10 minutes, or pop them in the toaster oven for a quick revival. For next-day freshness, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread (it absorbs excess moisture—a trick I learned from The Dizzy Cook). And if you’re planning ahead like I do for Thanksgiving, the shaped dough balls can be refrigerated overnight after the first rise—just let them come to room temperature before baking. For more make-ahead inspiration, check out my holiday prep guide.
Try This Soft Dinner Rolls Yourself
I’ll never forget the pride on my niece’s face when she pulled her first perfect batch of soft dinner rolls from the oven—that’s the magic I want for you! Whether you’re recreating childhood memories or starting new traditions, these golden beauties will become your secret weapon. For more comforting bakes, try my snickerdoodle banana bread on cozy mornings or lemon rhubarb loaf for spring brunches. And if you love experimenting like I do, the matcha version adds a delightful twist. Now go preheat that oven—your kitchen is about to smell heavenly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! After shaping the rolls, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking—they’ll rise beautifully. For longer storage, freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
Gently poke the dough—if the indentation slowly fills back in, it’s ready. Under-risen dough will spring back quickly, while over-risen dough won’t bounce back at all. For foolproof results, check out my visual guide to dough rising.
Why are my dinner rolls dense?
This usually happens when the yeast isn’t active (always check expiration dates!) or the dough was over-floured. Next time, try weighing your flour for accuracy—390g is the sweet spot for cloud-like texture.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant?
Yes! Proof it in the warm milk with sugar for 5-10 minutes until foamy. According to Cooking LSL, active dry yeast may require slightly longer rise times.
