Secrets to the Best Old-Fashioned Soft and Buttery Yeast Rolls
You won’t be disappointed with these old-fashioned soft yeast rolls. They are fluffy and buttery, rise beautifully, and melt in your mouth, making them perfect for any special family dinner or holiday gathering.
Once you make these, they’ll undoubtedly become a family favorite! Trust me, every time I make them, they disappear in no time. The kids love them with some honey butter, and my husband can’t resist having them with dinner.
Old Fashioned Soft Yeast Rolls
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup water (room temperature)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
For Topping The Rolls
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Knead the dough. Combine eggs, milk, water, vegetable oil (or melted butter), sugar, salt, flour, and instant yeast in a big bowl. Then knead the dough by hand, with a stand mixer using the dough hook attachment, or with a bread machine set to the "dough" cycle. If the dough seems dry or dense, add a bit more milk. The dough is kneaded enough that you can stretch a small piece thin enough to see light through it without tearing (windowpane test).
- The first rise. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Next, cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel. Allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Divide and shape. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface. Then, divide it into 24 equal pieces using a sharp knife. Next is to shape each piece into a ball by pinching the bottoms until the tops are smooth. Spray a glass 13 x 9 baking dish with nonstick spray and place the dough balls inside.
- The second rise. Cover the dish with greased plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise until they are very puffy for about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) towards the end of the rising time.
- Bake. Remove the plastic wrap and brush the rolls with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter while still warm.
- Serve. Let the rolls cool for about 20 minutes. Serve directly from the pan or transfer to a serving dish.
Notes
More Tips:
Yeast thrives in warmth. If your kitchen is cool, you can let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turn it on for a few minutes, then turn it off) or near a warm stove.
Drafts can affect how well your dough rises. Keep the bowl covered and in a warm, draft-free spot.
To check if your yeast is active, dissolve it in a bit of warm water with a pinch of sugar. It should foam up within 5-10 minutes. If it doesn’t, your yeast might be expired.
You can also use warm milk (not hot) to help activate the yeast. The ideal temperature is between 105°F and 115°F.
If you don’t have a stand mixer or bread machine, knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface. It should take about 10 minutes to become smooth and elastic.
Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 350°F before you put the rolls in for an even baking and the perfect golden-brown color.
Key Ingredients and Tools
To make these yeast rolls successfully, here are the right tools and ingredients to have:
- Instant Yeast: This type of yeast is quicker and more dependable than active dry yeast. It can be found in the baking aisle and doesn’t require pre-dissolving in water before adding to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour: This common flour type is ideal for these rolls, providing the perfect texture and structure.
- Stand Mixer: Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes the kneading process much easier and more efficient.
- Windowpane Test: This is a method for checking if your dough has been kneaded enough. Simply stretch a small piece of dough; it should stretch thin without tearing, indicating that the gluten is well-developed.
- Plastic Wrap or Damp Tea Towel: These are used to keep the dough moist during rising. Dry dough won’t rise properly and will affect the texture of your rolls.
These tools and ingredients will help you make successful yeast rolls.
Here are some ingredient alternatives you can use for this recipe:
- Vegetable Oil: You can try melted butter for a richer taste.
- Whole Milk: Replace it with 2% milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
- All-Purpose Flour: You can swap all-purpose flour with bread flour if you want a chewier texture.
- Instant Yeast: If you only have active dry yeast, you can use that instead of instant yeast, but make sure to dissolve it in warm water first and adjust the rising times.
Remember that using these substitutes might slightly change how the recipe turns out, but feel free to give them a try according to your taste.
If you’re getting ready for a holiday feast or a special dinner, you can make these old-fashioned yeast rolls ahead of time. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can enjoy warm, homemade rolls that rise beautifully and taste delicious.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this easy yeast roll recipe is perfect. If you take your time and follow the instructions, even if you’re new to bread baking, you’ll be just fine with its straightforward process and simple ingredients.
