Dinner Rolls

Dinner Rolls

adapted from: Our Best Bites

(Printable Recipe)

2 c. whole milk*

1/2 c. plus 1 Tbl. sugar, divided

1/3 c. unsalted butter

2 tsp.  salt

2 pkgs. (4 1/2 tsp.) active dry yeast

2/3 c. warm water

8-9 c. all-purpose flour, divided

3 beaten eggs

*They recommend whole milk, but if you're in a pinch 2% milk will work, but try to stay away from 1% or skim

Combine milk, 1/2 c. sugar, butter and salt in a medium saucepan.  Heat over medium heat until butter melts into salty-sweet perfection.  Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm (this is really important, because if it is too hot, it will kill the yeast).  

While the milk mixture is cooling, dissolve the yeast and 1 Tablespoon of sugar in warm water.  Let stand about 10 minutes.  If the yeast hasn't bubbled, you'll need to repeat this step with new yeast.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour and milk mixture.  Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly.  Add yeast mixture and beat on high for 3 minutes.  Add beaten eggs.  Stir in as much of the remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough.  This should should be very soft - it will be coming away from the sides of the bowl, but it will still stick to your finger when you touch it.  (If you add too much flour, these rolls will be heavy and dense).  Place the bowl in a warm place and cover with a clean towel; allow to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough.  Lightly flour your work surface and turn dough out onto surface.  Divide in half.  Spray two 9x13-inch glass pans with cooking spray.  Pat first portion of dough into a rectangle and then cut into 12 equal-sized pieces.  Shape each piece into a ball and place in prepared pan.  Repeat with remaining dough in the second pan.  Cover with a clean cloth and allow to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.  When dough has about 15-20 minutes to go, preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.  When done, remove from oven.  Rub a stick of cold butter over the tops of the rolls.  Eat one now while it's still hot!!

Jenn's Notes:  I cut this recipe in half and got 12 rolls.  I used 2% milk, 2 eggs and 4 cups of flour total.  When you are done mixing, the dough is still pretty sticky, but it firms up during the rising process and was very easy to work with.  I used my kitchen scale to ensure that each roll was the exact same size, but if you don't have one of those, don't worry, just eye-ball it.  During the second rise, my rolls took longer than 30 minutes, more like 45 minutes.  So, plan a little extra time, just in case.  These rolls were still delicious and very soft the next day, but I couldn't tell you about the 3rd day, because I didn't have any left!  


***Update - I have made these rolls a lot since this post, at least a few times a month.  They have become my new go-to roll recipe, because they are so easy and turn out perfect every time.  I have made them with both 2% milk and whole milk and I think they are delicious both ways!***