These dinner rolls from the master dough recipe are soft, fluffy and buttery yeast rolls that are easy to make – minimal kneading required!
Dinner Rolls
Yeast rolls, especially dinner rolls, are an old-fashioned yet classic recipe that have been present in the Midwest bread basket on dinner tables for decades. Yeast rolls are actually a lot easier to make than bread, as they don’t require as much kneading and are more versatile. This is a terrific recipe to start with if you find yeast recipes intimidating.
About this Recipe
These dinner rolls are a variation of the Master Dough recipe that dates to the 1950’s, and are a fairly easy yeast dough roll recipe to make. These buttery rolls can be baked up two different ways: for softer rolls, they are placed close together in a pan so that they are touching. They can also be baked apart on a baking sheet, which will result in a “crustier” dinner roll.
This recipe does make a large batch. See tips below about freezing these rolls, as they hold up well when frozen.
Tips for Dinner Rolls
- For soft dinner rolls, place close together so the rolls bake touching. If you want a crusty dinner roll, place about 1″ apart on a baking sheet.
- To make dough in advance, place in refrigerator prior to 2nd rise. Allow to sit at room temperature minimum of 1 hour before baking.
- You can freeze the dough before the 2nd rise (they will keep in freezer up to 4 weeks).
- To use frozen, allow to thaw in refrigerator and then let sit at room temperature in a warm area until doubled in size. Then bake according to instructions.
- Baked, frozen rolls will keep up to 4 months, if sealed. To reheat: thaw completely and then reheat about 10 minutes in a 325 F oven. If reheating from a frozen state, increase baking time by 10-15 minutes until heated through. Store baked rolls in an airtight container, up to 72 hours.
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Master Dough: Dinner Rolls
Equipment
- large bowl, for mixing and rising
- pastry brush
- 8" round baking dish or baking sheets
- parchment paper or silicone baking mats, if using baking sheets
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 oz pkg. dry active yeast
- 2 tbsp water, warmed to 110°F
- 1 tsp. + 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup milk, warmed to 110°F
- 1/2 + 1/4 cup unsalted butter, divided
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling surface
Instructions
- Combine 1 1/4 oz pkg. dry active yeast and 1 tsp. sugar in small bowl. Add warmed water, stir until yeast is dissolved and let it sit until it begins to form bubbles.
- In large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine ½ c. softened butter, remaining sugar and salt.
- Using stir setting on mixer or using a wooden spoon, add yeast mixture, warmed milk and beaten eggs.
- Slowly add in 2 cups of flour; stir 2 minutes or until smooth. Add in remaining 2 and ½ cups of flour, 1 cup a time until a soft dough is formed. The dough will be slightly sticky; add additional ½ cup of flour if dough is sticking too much to sides of bowl and spoon/mixer attachment.
- Sprinkle surface of counter with flour and flour hands. Turn out dough onto floured surface, and knead only slightly (fold dough only 3-4 times), enough to form a ball of dough.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover and place in a warm (but not hot) area. Allow to rise until double in size, about 1 hour. If risen dough is pressed down, the indentation should hold its shape.
- Split dough into 3 even portions. Split each portion into 8 even balls of dough. Place in greased round baking dish or on baking sheet *see tips below.
- Cover and allow rolls to rise to double in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Brush hot rolls with any remaining butter that has been melted. Serve warm.
Notes
- For soft dinner rolls, place close together so the rolls bake touching. If you want a crusty dinner roll, place about 1″ apart on a baking sheet.
- To make dough in advance, place in refrigerator prior to 2nd rise. Allow to sit at room temperature minimum of 1 hour before baking.
- You can freeze the dough before the 2nd rise (they will keep in freezer up to 4 weeks).
- To use frozen, allow to thaw in refrigerator and then let sit at room temperature in a warm area until doubled in size. Then bake according to instructions.
- Baked, frozen rolls will keep up to 4 months, if sealed. To reheat: thaw completely and then reheat about 10 minutes in a 325 F oven. If reheating from a frozen state, increase baking time by 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- Store baked rolls in an airtight container, up to 72 hours.