Homemade Dinner Rolls

dinner rolls in a breadbasket

Fill your breadbasket with light and fluffy homemade dinner rolls. Here are step-by-step instructions for working with basic bread dough, as well as shaping instructions for Buttery Cloverleaf Rolls and Parmesan-Dill Spirals.

Basic Dough

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]yeast proofing in a measuring cup[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 1: Let yeast proof in warm liquid until foamy—this way, you know the yeast is active and ready.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]
bread dough in a mixing bowl[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 2: Mix until a smooth, elastic dough forms. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can also knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface. Be sure not to add too much extra flour to the dough or the rolls might be tough.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]
bread dough in a bowl[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 3: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm draft-free place. An oven with the light turned on is a good place.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]risen bread dough in a bowl
[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 4: Be sure dough has doubled in size before punching down. This may happen quicker or slower than specified in the recipe, depending on the temperature where the dough rises. Use the time in the recipe as a guideline.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]
punching down bread dough in a bowl[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 5: Gently and evenly press dough down using your fingertips. If the dough springs back when you touch it, it’s not ready yet.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]dividing bread dough for rolls
[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 6: Use a bench scraper to divide dough into equal portions.[/fusion_builder_column]

 

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]rolling bread dough into a rope[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 1: Use gentle, even pressure to roll each piece into a 9-inch rope.[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]twisting bread dough into a spiral[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 2: Wrap the rope around itself to form a spiral shape. [/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]bread dough in a spiral[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 3: Pinch the end of the rope onto the spiral to help the roll hold its shape.[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” class=”” id=””]
shaping bread dough into rolls[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 1: Form each portion of dough into a small ball by cupping the dough with your hand and rolling it on the work surface.[/fusion_builder_column]
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brushing bread dough with cream

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[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 2: Brushing with cream helps keep a skin from forming on the surface of the dough and gives the rolls a golden-brown sheen after baking.[/fusion_builder_column]
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brushing baked rolls with butter[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” class=”” id=””]STEP 3: After removing from oven, brush rolls with melted 
butter. This softens the surface of the rolls and adds extra flavor.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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