Description
These soft, buttery brown and serve rolls offer homemade flavor with the convenience of prepping ahead. Par-baked and frozen, they can be finished in minutes for fresh, warm bread anytime—perfect for holidays or busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 100°F
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Prepare the Dough: In a stand mixer, combine flour, egg yolks, and salt. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and mix on low speed for 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
- Incorporate Butter & Knead: Add half of the softened butter to the dough. Mix on low for 30 seconds, then knead on medium speed for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Shape the Rolls: Punch down the dough and divide into 14 equal portions (about 2 ounces each). Shape into smooth balls and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped rolls and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Par-Bake the Rolls: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Brush rolls with melted butter and bake for 25 minutes, until firm but pale.
- Cool & Store: Let rolls cool for 10 minutes. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Final Bake: When ready to serve, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place frozen rolls on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
For extra flavor, add herbs or garlic powder to the dough.
Brush with melted butter before the final bake for a golden crust.
Store par-baked rolls in an airtight bag to prevent freezer burn.
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Roll
- Calories: 150
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
Keywords: brown and serve rolls, homemade dinner rolls, make-ahead rolls, freezer-friendly bread, soft butter rolls