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The BEST Dinner Rolls

Light, tender, and richly buttery, these dinner rolls deliver irresistible warmth and flavor to any table. Crafted with basic pantry staples, they come together swiftly, offering the ideal complement to countless dishes.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: soft dinner rolls recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 24 rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rapid rise or instant yeast
  • cups warm milk approximately 110°F
  • 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 5 tablespoons softened butter

Instructions

  • Place 3 cups of the flour into the bowl of a stand mixer along with the yeast, sugar, salt, warm milk, softened butter, and egg. Using the dough hook, set the mixer to its lowest setting and mix just until the flour is moistened, pausing to scrape the bowl as needed.
  • Increase the speed to medium and beat the mixture for 2 minutes. Gradually add another ½ cup of flour, mix until integrated, then repeat with an additional ½ cup. Continue mixing at medium speed until the dough begins to form a cohesive ball.
  • Incorporate more flour, a small amount at a time, until the dough is supple, slightly tacky, and begins to pull cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
  • Lightly grease a bowl and transfer the dough into it. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Once risen, gently press down the dough to release air. Divide into 24 equal portions, shaping each piece into a smooth ball. For consistency, rolls can be weighed—approximately 2 ounces each.
  • Arrange the rolls evenly on a greased quarter-sheet pan or a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover again and allow them to rise for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the interiors are thoroughly cooked. If needed, cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.
  • Remove from the oven and brush the hot rolls with melted butter. Serve immediately, or let cool and store in an airtight bag for up to three days.
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Notes

Storage Information
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 3 months—wrap tightly in plastic followed by foil, or use a freezer-safe zip-top bag.
Make Ahead
Prepare up to the second rise and refrigerate overnight, covered. Let rolls sit at room temperature for one hour before baking as usual.
Tips
If rolls darken too quickly while baking, loosely tent with foil to control browning.