Introduction

These dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet—perfect for any meal. With a golden crust brushed with honey butter, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether for holidays or weeknight dinners, this recipe is easy to follow and yields delicious results.

A close-up image shows a pile of soft dinner rolls in a shallow white bowl. The rolls are golden brown on top, shiny as if brushed with butter, and have a light, fluffy inside visible on some rolls with torn edges. The texture of the bread looks airy and smooth, with the rolls touching each other, creating a cozy, warm bundle. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup warm milk (110-115° F, any fat content)
2 ¼ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (or 1 packet; instant yeast may also be used)
2 tablespoons honey (can substitute sugar)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature, cut into 4 cubes)
3 ¼ cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
2 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the warm milk and yeast in the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foam appears on top.
Step 2: Add the remaining honey, cornstarch, salt, egg, butter, and 1/3 of the flour. Mix on low speed with the paddle attachment. Gradually add the remaining flour while mixing for about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead on medium-low speed for 2 minutes. If dough is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes workable; it should still be slightly sticky but manageable.
Step 4: Dust your hands with flour and knead the dough in the bowl by hand for 3 minutes.
Step 5: Scrape dough out with a silicone spatula and transfer to a large, lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
Step 6: Punch down the dough to release air. Shape into 15 tight, smooth balls of equal size and place them in a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Step 7: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Step 9: Bake rolls for 18 minutes.
Step 10: Mix melted butter and honey. Remove rolls from oven and brush tops with honey butter. Return to oven and bake 3-5 more minutes until golden brown, watching closely.
Step 11: Let rolls cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Use bread flour for a chewier texture or all-purpose flour for softer rolls.
Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast; add it directly to dry ingredients without proofing.
Brush rolls with melted butter instead of honey butter for a less sweet finish.
Add herbs like rosemary or garlic powder to the dough for a savory twist.

Storage

Store leftover rolls tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm rolls in a 300° F oven for 10 minutes or microwave briefly until soft and warm.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a group of soft dinner rolls stacked in a white bowl on a white marbled surface. The rolls have a golden brown, shiny top layer that looks slightly glossy from a butter coating. The texture of the bread inside is soft and fluffy, with small air pockets visible where the rolls are slightly torn or opened. The rolls are round and tightly packed, showing a mix of light golden and creamy white colors in the interior. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. Mix ingredients in a large bowl, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky.

Why does my dough need to be sticky?

A slightly sticky dough helps keep the rolls tender and soft. Adding too much flour can make them dense and dry. Use only enough flour to handle the dough comfortably.