1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe
If you’ve ever longed for that pillowy, crave-worthy bite of homemade bread but felt stymied by long rise times, these 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls will become your new go-to. Incredibly fluffy and tender, with a gorgeous golden crust brushed in melted butter, this recipe harnesses the power of quick-rising yeast and a harmonious blend of simple ingredients to deliver bakery-quality rolls in record time. Perfect for holiday feasts or cozy weeknight dinners, these rolls prove that all you need is an hour—and a little kitchen magic—to put some serious comfort on your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls comes from everyday ingredients working together in perfect harmony. Each one plays a specific role, whether it’s flavor, texture, or that invitingly rich golden color everyone loves in fresh bread.
- Water: Crucial for activating the yeast and creating a soft crumb in the rolls.
- Melted Butter: Doubles up for a rich, tender dough and added shine when brushed on top.
- Milk: Adds creaminess and softness, ensuring the rolls are extra plush.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness plus it helps the rolls brown beautifully.
- Active-Dry Yeast: The speedy secret! Makes the dough rise quickly without sacrificing any fluffiness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Builds structure—start with 3 1/2 cups and add more only as needed for a tender, not heavy, roll.
- Fine Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the honey’s sweetness perfectly.
- Extra Melted Butter (for brushing): For that irresistible glossy, buttery top.
How to Make 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Begin by heating your oven to 400°F, ensuring it’s nice and hot when your rolls are ready to bake. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish generously with cooking spray; this prevents any sticky situations and helps achieve those beautifully golden sides.
Step 2: Heat the Liquids
In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together the water and melted butter. Add in the milk and honey, then give everything a good mix. Microwave the mixture for a minute, stirring and checking the temperature. Continue heating in 15-second bursts until it reaches about 110°F—warm but never hot! For anyone without a microwave, gently heat everything in a saucepan, stirring until just warm. This perfectly preps the mixture for activating the yeast and unlocking that irresistible soft texture.
Step 3: Add the Yeast
Pour your warmed liquid into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the active-dry yeast across the top, using a fork to gently stir it in. Let it rest for five minutes, and watch as it bubbles and foams—this is where the magic for those speedy 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls happens!
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
With your yeast activated, stir in 3 1/2 cups of the flour and all the salt. Hold back on adding all the flour at once—keeping a slightly softer dough is key to keeping the finished rolls tender and light rather than dense.
Step 5: Mix (and Adjust as Needed)
Using the dough hook on your mixer, blend everything on medium-low speed until mostly combined. If the dough clings stubbornly to the sides of the bowl, sprinkle in more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until it just pulls away but remains a bit sticky—a secret to that signature fluffiness. Continue kneading with the mixer for 4-5 minutes, then shape into a ball and pop it into a greased bowl.
Step 6: First Rise
Cover the dough with a damp towel or paper towel and let it rest for just 15 minutes. This short rise gives the yeast a jumpstart, so you get delightfully airy dinner rolls without a drawn-out wait.
Step 7: Shape the Rolls
Give the dough a gentle punch to deflate, then divide it into 15 equal pieces. Roll each into a smooth, round ball and arrange them evenly in your greased baking dish. Cover once more with a damp towel and let them rise a second time for 15–20 minutes, so they plump up luxuriously before baking.
Step 8: Bake
Uncover the rolls and slide the pan into your preheated oven. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the tops are lightly golden brown and the kitchen smells absolutely incredible. These 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls reach their peak right as they emerge, so watch closely!
Step 9: Butter and Serve
Once out of the oven, transfer the dish to a wire rack and immediately brush the warm rolls with more melted butter. This gives them that shimmering finish and rich flavor. Serve them warm—you’ll want to sneak one straight from the pan, trust me.
How to Serve 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of fresh herbs like chives or parsley over the still-warm rolls adds a subtle pop of flavor and a pretty finish. For a sweeter touch, a brush of honey butter or a swirl of cinnamon sugar can make your 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls the star of a brunch spread, too.
Side Dishes
These heavenly rolls are built for sopping up gravies and sauces. Pile them alongside your favorite soups, roast chicken, turkey dinners, or a classic Sunday beef stew. Their subtle sweetness balances savory dishes perfectly, making them wildly popular at every holiday table or casual gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these rolls as mini sliders, filled with deli ham and cheese or with barbecue pulled pork for a crowd-pleasing party snack. For a more rustic look, bake them in a cast-iron skillet and take them straight from oven to table. And don’t forget a little dish of softened butter on the side—it’s a must!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any rolls left (a rare occurrence!), let them cool completely before sealing in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They’ll stay soft on your counter for two days, still ready to impress at a moment’s notice.
Freezing
To have 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls on standby, freeze them as soon as they’re cool. Place the rolls in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out as much air as you can. They’ll keep happily for up to three months. To thaw, just let them rest at room temperature or gently warm them in a low oven.
Reheating
Bring leftover rolls back to life by wrapping them in foil and warming at 300°F for 10 minutes. For that just-baked experience, brush with a little extra melted butter right after reheating—the aroma alone will draw everyone back to the table.
FAQs
Can I make these 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! While a stand mixer makes things quick and easy, you can still knead the dough by hand. Mix everything in a large bowl, then knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
What if I only have rapid rise or instant yeast?
Good news! You can use rapid rise or instant yeast in the same amount as active-dry. Since it activates even faster, you may find your dough rises quicker—so keep an eye during both proofing times.
How can I tell if my dough has enough flour?
The dough should pull away from the sides of your bowl and feel only slightly sticky. Start with less flour and add more in small amounts as needed; over-flouring can make the rolls dense rather than airy and soft.
Can I flavor these dinner rolls with herbs or cheese?
Definitely! Finely chopped fresh herbs, grated parmesan, cheddar, or a little garlic powder can all be kneaded into the dough or sprinkled on top right before baking, adding a creative twist to your 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls.
Do I need to let them cool before serving?
They are truly best served warm, fresh from the oven with that final brush of butter. If serving later, a quick reheat will revive their softness, but honestly, few can resist them right away!
Final Thoughts
There you have it: a foolproof, joy-sparking recipe for 1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls that will quickly win a place in your regular rotation. I hope this becomes your secret weapon for impressing friends and family, or just treating yourself to something special—because everyone deserves warm, buttery bread even on the busiest days!
Print
1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and buttery dinner rolls are a perfect addition to any meal. They are fluffy, light, and have a rich buttery flavor that will have everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
For the Rolls:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon active-dry yeast
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- extra melted butter, for brushing on top
Instructions
- Prep your oven and baking dish. Heat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside.
- Heat the liquids. In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together water and melted butter. Add milk and honey, then microwave the mixture until it reaches 110°F.
- Add yeast. Pour the liquid mixture into a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast on top, stir, and let it activate for 5 minutes.
- Add dry ingredients. Add in 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt.
- Mix. Use the dough-hook to mix on medium-low speed, adding more flour if needed until the dough is smooth. Form into a ball and transfer to a greased bowl.
- Let the dough rise. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes.
- Form the rolls. Divide dough, shape into balls, and place in the greased dish. Let rise for 15-20 minutes.
- Bake. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush with more butter. Brush the tops with melted butter.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can knead the dough by hand if you prefer.
- Ensure the yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: dinner rolls, bread, homemade, buttery, fluffy
