Dinner Rolls Recipe: How to Make Quick and Easy Dinner Rolls

• 1½ cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons rapid rise, fast-acting, or instant yeast
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 5 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1. 1

   Allow 5 tablespoons of butter to come to room temperature. When the butter is softened, cut it into cubes.

2. 2

   In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup or bowl, heat the milk for one minute. Stir and continue heating for 15-second intervals until the milk reaches 100–110 degrees Fahrenheit when measured by a digital thermometer.

3. 3

   Pour the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast, sugar, salt, egg, 5 tablespoons of softened butter, and 3 cups of flour.

4. 4

   Attach the dough hook to the mixer. Mix the ingredients on low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Keep mixing until you've incorporated all the flour.

5. 5

   Add an additional ½ cup of flour to the bowl and mix on low.

6. 6

   Once that's incorporated, add another ½ cup of flour. This time, knead the dough on medium speed for about two minutes until a ball of dough begins to form.

7. 7

   At this point, the dough may be soft, slightly sticky, and pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If it's not, mix in ¼ cup more flour at a time, using up to one additional cup of flour in total. You've added enough flour when the dough no longer sticks to your fingers.

8. 8

   Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place free of drafts for 30 minutes.

9. 9

   Uncover the bowl and give the dough a gentle punch with your fist to deflate it. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a rectangle about 8x12 inches in size.

10. 10

    Divide the dough lengthwise into four equal strips. Then cut six pieces of dough from each strip, keeping them close to the same size.

11. 11

    Roll each piece of dough into a ball. Use your thumbs to stretch the top of the dough ball smooth and pinch any seams to the bottom. Place the rolls smooth-side up in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish or baking sheet. (For added ease, line the baking sheet with parchment paper.)

12. 12

    Cover the rolls with plastic wrap or a dish towel for a second rise. Let them rest for 30 minutes. While you wait for the rolls to rest, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. 13

    Once the oven is preheated, uncover the rolls. Bake them for 12–15 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown on top.

14. 14

    In a microwave safe glass measuring cup or bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

15. 15

    Remove your rolls from the oven and brush them with the melted butter while they're still hot. This step gives your rolls more flavor and a beautiful bakery-like sheen. If you don't have a pastry brush, substitute a clean paintbrush, wadded-up paper towel, or coffee filter to dab and spread the butter on top.

16. 16

    Serve the baked rolls immediately to enjoy them warm. You may also cool and store them in a plastic bag for up to three days or frozen in an airtight container to reheat later.

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*Note: The total time does not include 30 minutes of inactive time.