Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

There is nothing quite as comforting as the warm, tender embrace of homemade bread fresh from the oven, and this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe is exactly the heartwarming treat you need. With a pillowy texture and a slightly sweet, buttery crumb, these rolls make every meal feel special. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers reliably soft rolls that rise beautifully and bake to a gorgeous golden brown. They are the perfect side for everything from hearty stews to festive dinners and will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for sharing warmth with family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe comes down to simple pantry staples, each playing a vital role in creating their irresistible texture and flavor. Every ingredient is easy to find yet essential to get that perfect rise, softness, and crumb you’ll crave again and again.

• Whole Milk (1 cup, warmed to about 110°F): This adds moisture, richness, and tenderness for soft rolls.
• Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons): The critical leavening agent that helps the dough rise wonderfully.
• Granulated Sugar (2 Tbsp, divided): A little sweetness to feed the yeast and enhance flavor.
• Large Egg (1): Adds richness, color, and helps bind the dough.
• Unsalted Butter (1/4 cup, softened and cut into pieces): Brings a tender crumb and buttery flavor that’s essential here.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten for structure.
• All-purpose or bread flour (3 cups, spooned and leveled): The body of your dough, providing the perfect gluten framework.
• Optional Honey Butter Topping: Melted butter mixed with honey for a glossy, sweet finish.

How to Make Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start your Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe by whisking the warmed milk, instant yeast, and half the sugar together in your stand mixer bowl. Letting it sit for 5 minutes activates the yeast, a crucial first step for that perfect rise. If you don’t have a stand mixer, no worries—mix by hand with a big spoon or spatula. This foundational step sets the tone for your soft, airy rolls.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients and Flour

Add the remaining sugar, egg, softened butter pieces, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping the sides to ensure everything combines evenly. Gradually add the rest of the flour and mix on medium speed until the dough looks soft and begins to pull away from the bowl. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable — if it’s too wet, add flour in small spoons until just right.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

The real magic happens during kneading. Either keep your dough in the mixer for 5 more minutes or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface. This step develops gluten, giving the rolls their soft structure and lovely chew. Be gentle with flour additions—soft and slightly tacky dough is your goal. A perfect knead is when poking the dough results in a slow bounce-back and it passes the “windowpane test” by stretching thin without tearing.

Step 4: First Rise

Lightly oil a large bowl, place your dough inside, and turn to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel to trap the warmth and moisture. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours, right on your countertop. This is where the dough gets its airy lift and flavor develops wonderfully.

Step 5: Shape Your Rolls

After the first rise, punch down the dough to gently release the air bubbles. Divide the soft dough into 14 to 16 equal pieces—don’t stress about perfection here! Roll each piece into a smooth ball and set them snugly in a greased 9×13 inch pan (or similar). Shaping by hand adds that homey touch and ensures the rolls go just right into the oven.

Step 6: Second Rise

Cover your shaped rolls and let them rise again until puffy, about 1 hour. During this crucial final proof, the rolls become soft and pillowy, ready to bake into golden perfection. Keeping the rolls covered prevents drying out and helps maintain their tender texture.

Step 7: Bake the Rolls

Adjust your oven rack lower and preheat to 350°F (177°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, turning the pan halfway for even browning. If the tops brown too fast, tent with foil to protect their delicate surface. Once out of the oven, brush on the optional honey butter topping for a shiny, sweet finish that’s simply irresistible.

How to Serve Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

While the soft texture and golden top are stars on their own, a light brush of melted butter or honey butter adds any meal a touch of richness and attraction. Sprinkle some flaky sea salt or fresh herbs like rosemary for an elegant twist that wakes up your taste buds.

Side Dishes

These dinner rolls pair beautifully with just about anything! Think cozy bowls of soup, savory stews, fresh salads, or roasted meats. Their subtle sweetness and texture help soak up sauces and juices, making each bite deliciously satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family gathering or holiday meal, arrange the rolls in a cast iron skillet or braided shape before baking to add wow factor. Slice them after baking for sliders, or turn them into bread baskets by hollowing out the center. The possibilities to customize your Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe presentation are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any rolls left (and that might be rare!), store them covered at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Use an airtight container or a zip-top bag to keep them soft and fresh, perfect for quick snacks or sandwiches the next day.

Freezing

To freeze these rolls, wrap them individually or in batches with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen rolls last about 2 to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature or warmed briefly in the oven, keeping the soft texture intact.

Reheating

Warm your rolls gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel to restore that freshly baked softness. Avoid overheating which can dry them out.

FAQs

Can I substitute milk with water in this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe?

While you can use water instead of milk, milk adds richness and tenderness to the rolls that water cannot replicate. Using milk helps achieve that soft crumb and adds flavor, so it’s best to stick with it for this recipe.

Do I need bread flour or is all-purpose flour okay?

All-purpose flour works just fine in this recipe and will produce wonderfully soft rolls. Bread flour may give a slightly chewier texture due to higher protein content, but either flour choice works well for these fluffy rolls.

How do I know when my dough has risen enough?

The dough should double in size during rising. A good test is to gently poke the dough with your finger—if the indentation fills back slowly, it’s ready for the next step. This ensures your rolls will have the perfect airy texture.

Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Mixing and kneading by hand is totally doable. Just use a large bowl and a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to mix, then knead on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Why are my rolls not soft after baking?

If your rolls come out dense or dry, it’s usually because too much flour was added or the baking time was too long. Be careful not to over-flour the dough and bake just until golden brown, brushing with butter right after baking to lock in moisture.

Final Thoughts

Making these Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe from scratch is a truly rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your table with comforting, delicious bread. They’re perfect for any occasion or simply cozy family dinners. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try—you’ll be delighted every time you pull that pan from the oven, ready to share fresh, tender rolls with the people you love.

Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

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These Soft Dinner Rolls are delightfully fluffy, buttery, and perfect for any meal. Made with simple ingredients like warm milk, yeast, sugar, butter, and flour, these rolls are kneaded to perfection and baked to a golden brown. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, they have a tender crumb and a slightly sweet honey butter topping option that adds an irresistible glaze.

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 14 servings
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
• 2 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
• 1 Tablespoon honey

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: Whisk the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast. If you don’t have a stand mixer, combine in a large mixing bowl and mix dough with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
2. Mix the dough: Add the remaining sugar, egg, butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Using the dough hook or paddle attachment, mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then add the remaining flour. Beat on medium speed until the dough forms and pulls away from the bowl sides, about 2 minutes. If too wet, add flour one tablespoon at a time until manageable.
3. Knead the dough: Knead the dough in the mixer for 5 minutes or by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour as needed to keep dough soft but manageable. Dough should pass the windowpane test, indicating sufficient gluten development.
4. First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl. Place dough inside and turn to coat all sides with oil. Cover with foil, plastic wrap, or a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
5. Prepare baking pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch pans. Alternatively, use a cast iron skillet or lined baking sheet.
6. Shape the rolls: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide into 14-16 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball. Arrange evenly in the prepared pan.
7. Second Rise: Cover shaped rolls with foil, plastic wrap, or towel and allow to rise until puffy, about 1 hour.
8. Preheat oven: Adjust oven rack to a lower position and preheat to 350°F (177°C) to prevent tops burning.
9. Bake the rolls: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, rotating pan halfway. Tent with foil if tops brown too quickly. Remove from oven.
10. Optional topping and cooling: Brush rolls with melted butter mixed with honey for a glossy, sweet finish. Let cool a few minutes before serving.
11. Storage: Store leftover rolls tightly covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

• If dough is too sticky during kneading, add flour one teaspoon at a time; avoid adding too much to prevent dryness.
• Windowpane test ensures dough is kneaded enough for a light, elastic texture.
• Rising times depend on room temperature; dough may take slightly longer in cooler environments.
• Use warm milk at about 110°F (43°C) to activate yeast without killing it.
• Cover rising dough appropriately to retain moisture and help rise.
• Honey butter topping is optional but adds a wonderful flavor and shine to the rolls.