This sweet dinner roll recipe is a cherished family legacy. In fact, I can’t remember a Sunday dinner or holiday without these rolls gracing the table.
The recipe was passed down from my grandma to my mom, who perfected the art of baking them. I’m still working on reaching that level of perfection, but I’m more than happy to keep trying.
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
- ¼ C warm water*
- 5 tsps active dry yeast or two packages
- 3 T sugar
- 1 C milk
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 6 T butter, softened
- ⅓ C sugar
- 3 lg. eggs, at room temperature
- 4 C bread flour
- poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the first three ingredients and set aside to allow the yeast to bloom. After a few minutes, the mixture should begin to foam, which is a sign that it is active and ready.
- In another small microwaveable bowl, combine the milk, salt, butter, and sugar. Heat for one minute, then stir until the butter is melted. Set aside to cool. (You can also do this on the stove—just be sure the mixture cools before continuing.)
- In a bowl of your mixer, add the flour and make a well in the center. Combine the yeast mixture with the milk mixture, then pour it into the well. Using a dough hook, knead the dough for 5 minutes. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size—usually about an hour or so.
- Punch the dough down and knead it on a lightly floured surface for a couple of minutes. Shape the dough into rolls and place them in a greased 9×13 pan, leaving a little space between each roll to allow for another rise. Let the rolls rise until they have doubled in size—about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Bake in a 375°F oven until the rolls are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. As soon as you remove them from the oven, brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Notes
*Be careful not to use hot water, as it can kill the yeast and prevent your rolls from rising. After adding the warm water and sugar, the mixture should begin to foam after a few minutes and have a slight ale-like smell. If it doesn’t, your yeast might be past its prime.
TIP: I buy my yeast in bulk and store it in a container in my freezer. This helps extend the life of the yeast, keeping it fresh for longer.