Name: Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls with Dairy Free Herbed Butter Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Cuisine: Vegan American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (330 mL) unsweetened dairy free milk; 2 tbsp maple syrup or granulated sugar; 2 1/4 tsp (7 g) active dry yeast; 4 1/2 cups flour (560 g) + 1 tsp bread flour or all-purpose flour*; 1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tbsp dried thyme; 7 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp finely ground sea salt; 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted vegan butter, room temperature; 1 cup vegan cheese of choice; 1 tbsp melted vegan butter; 1 tbsp maple syrup; remaining minced garlic (from the 7 cloves total); 3 tbsp unsalted vegan butter, room temperature; 3 tbsp chopped sage; 3 tbsp chopped rosemary; 1 tsp garlic powder

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (330 mL) unsweetened dairy free milk

2 tbsp maple syrup or granulated sugar

2 1/4 tsp (7 g) active dry yeast

4 1/2 cups flour (560 g) + 1 tsp bread flour or all-purpose flour*

1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 tbsp dried thyme

7 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp finely ground sea salt

1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted vegan butter, room temperature

1 cup vegan cheese of choice

1 tbsp melted vegan butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

3 tbsp unsalted vegan butter, room temperature

3 tbsp chopped sage

3 tbsp chopped rosemary

1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Measure and weigh all ingredients. Grease a large bowl with cooking or coconut oil and set aside for the dough to rise later.

Step 2: Heat the dairy-free milk to 110°F (43°C). Stir in 2 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tsp flour. Add the yeast, stir, cover, and place in a warm spot (75-80°F) for 10-12 minutes until foamy and yeast-scented.

Step 3: In a stand mixer bowl, combine remaining flour, rosemary, parsley, and garlic. Mix on medium-low until just combined, dough will be shaggy.

Step 4: Add room temperature vegan butter and sea salt. Mix on medium until butter is incorporated, then increase speed to medium-high and knead for 10-15 minutes until dough passes the window pane test.

Step 5: Place the dough ball into the greased bowl and cover with a thin dish towel. Proof in a warm area at 85°F until doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 6: Grease a medium casserole dish. Punch down the dough and divide into 12-16 equal pieces (about 58-60 g each). Roll each piece into a ball, place 1-2 tbsp vegan cheese in the center, seal the bottom, and shape into rounds. Place rolls in the casserole dish.

Step 7: Cover rolls with a thin dish towel and proof again in a warm spot until nearly doubled. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 8: Mix melted vegan butter, maple syrup, and additional minced garlic. Brush this mixture over the tops of the rolls.

Step 9: Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden and slightly crusted; longer if baking fewer rolls. Remove rolls from oven and let cool slightly.

Step 10: While rolls cool, combine 3 tbsp vegan butter, sage, rosemary, and garlic powder to make herbed butter. Brush this over warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use a warm spot or your oven’s proof setting to help dough rise faster and more consistently.

Try swapping the herbs in the butter for your favorites like thyme or basil for different flavor profiles.

For a sharper flavor, use aged vegan cheeses or add nutritional yeast to the dough.

To make rolls sweeter, increase maple syrup in the dough slightly or add a touch of cinnamon to the herbed butter.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, all-purpose flour works well in this recipe. Bread flour tends to create chewier rolls, but either will give delicious results.

How do I know when the yeast has properly bloomed?

The yeast mixture will smell yeasty and have a foamy layer on top. If this doesn’t happen within 12 minutes, your yeast may be inactive and it’s best to start over with fresh yeast.