Description
Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls are soft, fluffy, and tender dinner rolls perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or any meal where comforting homemade bread is desired. Made with warm milk, active dry yeast, and enriched with butter and eggs, these classic rolls have a rich flavor and golden crust. Easy to make with simple ingredients and baking in the oven, they can also be prepared ahead for convenience without sacrificing freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate yeast. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix wet ingredients. Add the softened butter, egg, and salt to the foamy yeast mixture and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add flour and knead. Gradually add the flour, about 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough by hand or with a dough hook mixer for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky to handle.
- First rise. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape rolls. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 to 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or sheet pan.
- Second rise. Cover the shaped rolls and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until they become puffy.
- Bake rolls. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15 to 18 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls sound hollow when tapped.
- Finish with butter. Remove the warm rolls from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter to add a rich, soft finish. Serve warm.
Notes
- These rolls are perfect for holidays or Sunday dinners, providing a comforting side to any meal.
- You can prepare the rolls ahead of time by refrigerating them after shaping overnight. The next day, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.
- If dough is sticky during kneading, add flour a tablespoon at a time until manageable but avoid making dough too dry.
- Ensure milk is warmed to about 110°F to effectively activate the yeast without killing it.
- For softer crust, cover rolls with a clean kitchen towel as they cool.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
