Description
These World’s Best Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery—perfect for any meal or occasion. Made with a rich mixture of milk, butter, and eggs, combined with yeast for a perfect rise, these classic dinner rolls boast a golden-brown crust and tender crumb. They are easy to prepare and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy & Liquids
- 2 cups whole milk (2% milk also works, but whole is best)
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- 2/3 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for yeast)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare milk mixture: Combine milk, 1/2 cup sugar, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm to avoid killing the yeast.
- Activate yeast: Dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in the warm water. Let stand for about 10 minutes until the yeast is bubbly and foamy.
- Mix dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour and the lukewarm milk mixture. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping down the sides. Add the yeast mixture and beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Then add the beaten eggs and stir in the remaining 5 cups of flour until a soft dough forms.
- Note on dough texture: The dough will be very soft and sticky but should come away from the sides of the bowl. This is normal and will firm up a bit while rising.
- First rise: Place the bowl in a warm spot and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Shape rolls: Punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Divide it in half. Spray two 9×13-inch glass pans with cooking spray. Roll each half into a rectangle and cut into 12 equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place in the prepared pans.
- Second rise: Cover the pans with clean kitchen towels and let the rolls rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Finishing touch: Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately rub the tops with a stick of cold butter for a delicious, glossy finish.
Notes
- Make sure the milk mixture is only lukewarm before adding yeast to prevent killing the yeast.
- The dough will be sticky initially, but this is normal and will firm up during rising.
- You can use 2% milk if whole milk is not available, but whole milk provides the best flavor and texture.
- For best results, keep the rising dough in a warm, draft-free place.
- Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven; look for a golden-brown color as an indicator of doneness.
- Rolling the dough into evenly sized pieces ensures uniform baking.
