Light and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

Small without Honey Butter

Large baked separately on a sheet pan

Large with Honey Butter

This delicious dinner roll recipe was created one day when I was in the mood to bake without a recipe. They turned out great, and we’ve made them over an over as our go-to dinner rolls.

Light and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

1 cup warm water

2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

8 tbsp margarine or butter (softened)

Optional: honey butter to brush on tops after baking – to taste combo of softened butter/margarine and honey

Directions:

Wake up the yeast: Combine water, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar in mixer bowl. Leave for 5 minutes.
Add salt, 3 tbsp sugar, and flour. Combine with dough hook on low.
Add the margarine/softened butter a few pieces at a time while the dough is kneading. It will look like a mess for a few minutes. Be patient. Knead for 10 minutes until it is a smooth, elastic ball.
On a floured surface, shape dough into a ball. Place it into a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour. I like to let mine rise in a warm oven – heat oven on 350°F for 1 minute. Turn it off before putting in the bowl.
Grease a 9’ x 13’ pan. Form either 12 large or 24 small rolls (we prefer small). Do this by dividing the dough by halves until the last bits by thirds (like a pie). It helps keep the rolls of uniform-size. Pull the “raw” edges of the dough to the bottom until the top is smooth and spherical. Place seam side down in the pan.
Let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour on the warm stove top or on the counter with the kitchen towel over the rolls. Pre-heat oven to 350°F toward end of rising time.
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 350°F or until lightly golden brown.
Brush tops with honey butter if desired. Let cool slightly before handling.

These rolls can be kept after baking in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, in our experience. Just pop into the microwave for about 10 seconds to reheat.