Homemade dinner rolls are a staple in many households, and they can be enjoyed as a side dish or a sweet treat. They are usually made with a simple dough of flour, yeast, sugar, eggs, butter, and salt, and can be shaped into various sizes and forms, such as round, crescent, or twist shapes.
Making homemade dinner rolls allows for customization of flavor, texture, and appearance. You can add ingredients like herbs, cheese, spices, or seeds to the dough to make your rolls unique. You can also experiment with different flours, such as whole wheat or gluten-free, to suit your dietary needs.
Serving and preparation time:
Serving size: 12-16 dinner rolls
Preparation time:
Active time: 30 minutes
Inactive time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes rising time)
Total time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110-115°F)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, butter, and eggs.
- Stir in the yeast mixture and salt.
- Gradually add in 4 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is soft and comes away from the sides of the bowl.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Divide the dough into 12-16 equal pieces and shape into rolls. Place in the greased pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush over the rolls.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.
Serving suggestions: Serve the dinner rolls warm with butter or as a side to a main course, like a soup or stew. They can also be served with honey or jam for breakfast or as a sweet treat.
Garnishing suggestion:
Here are some garnishing ideas for dinner rolls:
- Butter: Simply brush melted butter over the tops of the rolls before serving for a classic touch.
- Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil on top of the rolls before baking for added flavor.
- Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flax seeds on top of the rolls before baking for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Cheese: Sprinkle grated parmesan or cheddar cheese on top of the rolls before baking for a cheesy twist.
- Garlic: Mix minced garlic into the butter before brushing over the rolls for a garlicky flavor.
- Honey: Brush the rolls with honey before serving for a sweet touch.
- Sweet spices: Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the rolls before baking for a sweet, spicy flavor.
Use your imagination and get creative with the garnishes to make your dinner rolls unique and delicious!