Tender Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls that can be prepared ahead and baked fresh, perfect for any occasion with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: Overnight plus 1 hour 35 minutes active
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (about 480 g)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1 1/4 cups warm milk (300 ml, whole or 2%)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (60 g)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (110°F / 43°C) with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together flour and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and activated yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms (2-3 minutes).
- Knead the dough: Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface or with a dough hook for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
- First rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl, place dough inside, cover with plastic wrap or damp towel. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape rolls: Punch down dough gently. Divide into 12 equal pieces (~2 ounces / 60 g each). Shape each into a smooth ball by pulling edges underneath.
- Arrange and second rise: Place rolls on greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or round pan, close enough to touch once risen. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
- Bring to room temperature: Remove rolls from fridge and let sit uncovered for 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Brush rolls lightly with melted butter or milk. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Cool and serve: Let rolls cool slightly on wire rack. Brush again with butter if desired.
Notes
For best flavor and texture, refrigerate dough overnight for slow fermentation. Use a dough scraper to handle sticky dough instead of adding too much flour. Brushing rolls with melted butter after baking keeps them soft and shiny. Rolls can be frozen after baking for up to three months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: dinner rolls, make-ahead rolls, soft rolls, easy bread recipe, yeast rolls, homemade rolls, tender rolls