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Best Dinner Rolls

Name: Best Dinner Rolls
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup sugar; 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast; 1-1/4 teaspoons salt; 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup 2% milk; 1/2 cup water; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; FOR EVERYTHING DINNER ROLLS:; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic; 1 teaspoon dried minced onion; 1 teaspoon poppy seeds; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds; FOR PARMESAN-GARLIC DINNER ROLLS:; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic; FOR ALMOND-HERB DINNER ROLLS:; 2 tablespoons chopped sliced almonds; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. + rising Bake: 10 min.

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Jan. 03, 2023

These are the best dinner rolls around. If you can't decide which enticing topping to choose, just use them all.—Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri

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Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 large egg, lightly beaten
FOR EVERYTHING DINNER ROLLS:
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
FOR PARMESAN-GARLIC DINNER ROLLS:
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
FOR ALMOND-HERB DINNER ROLLS:
2 tablespoons chopped sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, salt and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Add 2 eggs; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape dough into 24 balls. Place in 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°. Brush rolls with lightly beaten egg. Sprinkle with toppings for rolls of your choice. Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.

Best Dinner Rolls Tips

How do you proof yeast for the best dinner rolls?

Yeast may seem scary at first, but learning how to proof yeast is really simple. To proof yeast for this recipe (and others), add a packet of yeast to warm water (about 105º-115ºF) mixed with a tablespoon of sugar. The warm water and sugar will activate the yeast. You'll be able to tell if your yeast is ready to add to your recipe when the mix starts to get frothy and bubbly. Don't skip this step! Proofing—sometimes otherwise called testing yeast—is crucial for making dinner rolls and other yeasted bread recipes.

How do you proof dinner rolls?

After proofing the yeast and kneading the dough, you also need to proof the dough (twice, actually). For the first proof, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Leave this to rest in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. After this first proof, shape the rolls and let them proof again before baking.

How long does it take for the dough to proof?

Proofing times depend on the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. Yeast likes temperatures above 75ºF, with some humidity. With the right conditions, dough proofs in 45 to 60 minutes. If your kitchen is on the cooler side, check out these tricks for proofing bread dough.

How do you shape dinner rolls?

This recipe for our best dinner rolls is very versatile. You can shape dinner rolls in all sorts of ways. Try basic rounds to start, then move onto knots, or cloverleaf rolls—made by clustering three balls of dough together.

—Lisa Kaminski, Taste of Home Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 roll (calculated without toppings): 118 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.