The Softest Homemade Dinner Rolls

The Softest Homemade Dinner Rolls are going to rock your world. Soft on the inside, warm & buttery outside. Plus our tip that makes all the difference for dinner rolls.

Sunday dinner was a really big deal at my house as a little girl. I have absolutely perfect memories of my mom in her apron and Sunday dress bustling around the kitchen to get the pot roast in the oven before church and instantly I was on Jell-O duty. 

Do not judge me.

Jell-O Duty

Jell-O was my thing. Not only did I love to make it but I was the one licking the bowl clean.

While I stirred and stirred, mesmerized by the gentle red waves and slowly disappearing crystals of the gelatin mom was busy with the rest of dinner. As I got older I took on different jobs like peeling potatoes, browning the roast, and so on. Dinner rolls though, that was intimidating. 

And long. 

I did not want to take on some boring, multi-houred process. 

And now it’s my thing. If you’ve made our famous Potato Rolls you know what I’m talking about. 

What Ingredients are Needed to Make Dinner Rolls?

• Instant Yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly so your rolls turn out light and fluffy every time.
• Milk: Adds richness and flavor while helping the tops bake up golden and beautiful.
• Water: Keeps the dough soft and easy to work with.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds just the right touch of sweetness.
• Honey: Brings a little extra moisture and a cozy, subtle sweetness.
• Butter: The secret to that melt-in-your-mouth, buttery goodness we all love.
• Fine Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes every bite taste better.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the rolls tender and soft, even the next day.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds a creamy depth and helps the rolls bake up perfectly golden.
• Egg: Gives the dough richness and helps the rolls hold their lovely shape.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of it all—just enough to keep the rolls light, soft, and pillowy.

How to Make Homemade Yeast Rolls

We are going to scald the milk first thing. Remember how I said it was the most important part? I wasn’t kidding. 

Scald the Milk

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add the milk and cook until just starting to foam around the edges and is warmed. Do not boil.
2. After the milk is warmed, gently place the butter, water, sugar, and honey in the pan and stir until the butter has melted and then allow it to cool to lukewarm.
3. Then we are going to sprinkle the yeast over top and stir to combine. Pour this milk and yeast mixture into a standing mixer and allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes or until foamy.

Make the Roll Dough

1. Pour the oil, salt, evaporated milk, and egg into the mixture with the milk and yeast mixture and stir to combine.
2. Add in 8 cups of flour and using a dough hook attachment, mix the dough until it begins coming together. 
3. Carefully pour in a cup of flour more until the dough is coming together in a ball around the hook.
4. Remove the bowl from the mixer and cover with a cloth to rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

How To Shape Dinner Rolls

1. Once the rise has finished, heavily sprinkle flour on your work surface and turn the dough out on top.
2. Flip it over so all of the dough has flour on it and isn’t sticky.
3. Shape into evenly sized balls, arrange in a cookie sheet.
4. Allow the dinner roll dough balls to rise until doubled.

Bake the Rolls

• Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy. 
• Remove from the oven and gently rub butter all over the tops.

What to Eat with Dinner Rolls

Buttery dinner rolls are THE BEST dipped in Broccoli Cheese Soup or served along with side Easy Garlic Butter Steak, or honestly just eaten by themselves warm loaded with all the butter! 😋

And of course they go with all holiday dinners…brown sugar ham at Easter, roasted turkey at Thanksgiving or prime rib at Christmas. I don’t ever need a holiday or any excuse to make homemade rolls though! They go with anything!

What is the Difference Between Instant Yeast and Activated Dry Yeast?

The main difference is Active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before using, while instant yeast can be mixed right into dry ingredients.

What Can You Substitute for Evaporated Milk?

You can make your own by simmering 2¼ cups of regular milk down until it becomes 1 cup.

Or, you can use a combination of half and half and whole milk.

How Long Will Dinner Rolls Keep?

Dinner rolls will keep for 5-7 days. Rolls should be wrapped in plastic or kept in a plastic bag. You can store them at room temperature or in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Bread Dough?

Bread dough can be frozen for up to 6 months. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap several times to make sure they are airtight and store.

To use again, place in the fridge for 24 hours to let the frozen dough thaw. Bring out onto the counter once you’re ready to let rise so that the dough can come to room temp and rise. Proceed with the recipe as instructed. 

There’s something about the smell of fresh, buttery rolls straight from the oven that instantly feels like home. These pillowy, soft dinner rolls aren’t just a side dish—they’re the kind of recipe that takes you straight to those Sunday afternoons in the kitchen with mom. Bake a batch, share them with your loved ones, and savor that little bit of magic that only homemade bread can bring.

More Bread Recipes

• Focaccia Bread
• Unleavened Bread
• Potato Rolls Recipe
• No Knead Artisan Bread
• Homemade Naan
• Moist Cornbread Recipe
• Orange Rolls

Watch How these Rolls are Made…