Homemade Sweet Dinner Rolls

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There’s nothing better than pulling a pan of warm, golden brown sweet dinner rolls out of the oven. These homemade dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

This dinner roll recipe is easy enough for beginners and still impressive enough for holidays or family gatherings. The dough has a fluffy texture and a touch of sweetness, making these rolls a great kind of side for soups, grilled meats, or a cozy weeknight dinner.

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Why You’ll Love These Sweet Dinner Rolls

These rolls are everything people love about homemade bread recipes. They’re soft, slightly sweet, and perfect when served warm with honey butter. The rising process is simple, and you only need basic tools like a stand mixer, a dough hook, and a large bowl or large mixing bowl.

They also store well in an airtight container, so you can enjoy them the next day. The dough can be shaped into regular shaped rolls, spirals, or even used as the base for monkey bread. It’s one of my favorite ways to serve homemade bread because it works for so many meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Sweet Dinner Rolls

This recipe comes together using simple pantry staples. Before you start, make sure your warm milk and large egg are at room temperature. This helps the yeast mixture activate and gives the dough a smooth ball and a better rise.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• 6 tbsp softened butter
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups all purpose flour, divided
• Extra flour as needed
• Melted butter for brushing

How to Make Sweet Dinner Rolls

**The best way to get perfect yeast rolls is to follow each step closely and pay attention to the texture of your dough. Too much flour leads to dense rolls, while sticky dough needs just a little extra flour.

Make the Yeast Mixture

Start by adding one cup of warm milk to the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle in the instant yeast. If you are using active dry yeast, let it sit for a few minutes until foamy.

Combine the Ingredients

Add softened butter, a large egg at room temperature, 1.5 cups of flour, sugar, and enough salt (1 tsp) to balance the flavor. Mix for 1–2 minutes until well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the Remaining Flour

Swap to the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough stays very sticky, add extra flour one tablespoon at a time. Your dough shouldn’t stick to your fingers when pressed, but it should stay moist.

Let the Dough Rise

Once the dough forms a smooth ball around the hook, place it in a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place dough in a warm place for the first rise, about 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size. This dough rise is essential for creating that fluffy texture.

Shaping the Rolls

When the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into equal pieces. One great tip is to use a bench scraper so the pieces stay even.

For this recipe, cut the dough into 16 balls of dough. You can roll each dough ball into a smooth round shape or flatten and roll each piece into a spiral for a crescent-style roll. Either method works perfectly.

Second Rise

Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. You can also use buttered muffin tin cups, muffin pans, or other inch pans, depending on how you want the rolls to bake.

Arrange the shaped rolls evenly in your baking pans. Cover again and let rise for another 30 minutes to an hour. The rising time may vary depending on how warm your kitchen is.

Bake the Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown. Some ovens may vary, so keep an eye on the bake time. Once done, brush the top of the rolls with melted butter or a butter mixture. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt is optional but delicious.

These buttery rolls taste incredible served warm and make a great addition to any meal. I love enjoying these rolls with a generous swipe of our homemade cowboy butter.

Tips for the Best Results

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make your rolls:

• Warm water or warm milk helps activate the yeast.
• If using bread flour, remember it has higher protein content, which can slightly change the texture.
• Use mixing bowls or a small bowl to prep your ingredients for easier cleanup.
• You can also make these in a bread machine using the dough setting.
• Brush the tops of the rolls with beaten eggs for an egg wash if you prefer a shiny finish instead of a buttery one.

Storage and Serving Ideas

Store leftover yeast rolls in an airtight container. Reheat the next day for soft, fresh rolls. They pair wonderfully with honey butter, soups, or roasted meats. These rolls are also perfect for holiday dinners or when you want homemade comfort food.

If you’re a fan of Hawaiian rolls or Hawaiian sweet rolls, these will be the perfect homemade version to try.

Final Thoughts

This is the dinner roll recipe you’ll want to keep forever. It’s simple, reliable, and turns out perfectly soft and fluffy every time. If you try these sweet dinner rolls, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment section below. Enjoy, and happy baking!

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