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Close-up of freshly baked dinner rolls arranged neatly on a wooden plate indoors.

Soft, buttery pull-apart rolls

Dinner Rolls

Dinner Rolls

2h 10mEasy

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

2 hr 10 min

Servings

16

16 rolls

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Dinner Rolls

Soft, buttery pull-apart rolls

Impossibly soft, fluffy dinner rolls with a golden, buttery top. These tender pull-apart rolls are the perfect side for holiday meals, soups, and stews.

20m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

130m

Total Time

16

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Side DishVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

January 30, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

These dinner rolls are enriched with butter, milk, and egg for a tender, pillowy crumb that tears apart in fluffy layers. A final brush of melted butter gives them an irresistible golden sheen.

Why This Recipe Works

Milk and butter add fat and sugar that tenderize the crumb and keep the rolls soft for days. Baking the rolls nestled together creates soft sides and a pull-apart texture.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 2.25 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine warm milk, melted butter, egg, sugar (2 tbsp), and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.

  2. 2

    Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth.

  3. 3

    Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.

  4. 4

    Divide into 16 equal pieces, shape into tight balls, and place in a greased 9x13 baking dish.

  5. 5

    Cover and let rise 30 minutes, then bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with a fresh side salad for a balanced meal

  • Pair with your favorite grain or bread on the side

  • Garnish with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation

Substitutions

MilkOat milk or almond milk

For a dairy-free version, also swap butter for vegan butter

All-purpose flourBread flour

Slightly chewier rolls with more structure

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

  • Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
  • Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • For the softest rolls, do not overbake—remove when just golden on top.

  • Use tangzhong (cooked flour paste) for extra-soft, stay-fresh-longer rolls.

Storage

Store in a sealed bag at room temperature for 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Warm in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes wrapped in foil.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (25mg) · 16 servings

Calories170
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein5g
Carbohydrates4g
Fat28g
Fiber180mg
Sugar1g
Sodium3g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead?
Shape the rolls, refrigerate overnight, then bring to room temperature and bake the next day.
Why are my rolls dense?
The dough may not have risen enough, or too much flour was added.

Explore More

More Side DishVegetarian RecipesBaking Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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