Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls Recipe

This Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls Recipe only requires 7 simple ingredients to create the most buttery rolls that are perfect to share with your family and friends anytime. No bread machine is needed. 

For another homemade bread recipe try making some Southern Cornbread and for a sweeter yeast option, try making some Cinnamon Rolls. 

If you haven't tried making homemade dinner rolls, then let me share with you that is it much easier than you may think and totally worth giving a try.

Let's get started!

Why You'll Love This Old Fashioned Yeast Roll Recipe

• They're perfect to make ahead of time!
• Light and fluffy dinner rolls that are perfect to serve with a holiday meal, Thanksgiving dinner, or even your family dinners. 
• It is so delicious and served straight from the oven with some butter or even honey butter.

Equipment Needed 

• A stand mixer with a dough hook or paddle attachment makes the whole process simple. If you do not have one, no worries, a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon and some arm strength can be used instead. 
• A separate large bowl to allow the dough to rise and double in size. 
• Rectangle 9x13-inch or two square 8x8-inch baking dishes could be used to allow the rolls to rise a second time and for them to bake in. A cast iron skillet or large parchment paper lined baking sheet could be used as well.

Ingredients You'll Need 

1. Active Dry Yeast - You can use 2 ¼ teaspoons or 1 active dry yeast packet. Either works just fine, be sure to measure if you use bulk yeast. May substitute instant yeast instead. Be sure to check the date on the package to make sure you're not using old yeast. 
2. Milk - The key is to use whole milk. Warm the milk and aim for the temperature to reach 105 to 110 degrees F. Anything hotter than this will destroy the yeast and you will have to start the process all over. Warm water could be used instead. 
3. Sugar - Granulated sugar or cane sugar works the best. Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough, honey could be used instead in the same unit of measure. 
4. Egg - A single large egg is all that is needed for this bread recipe, allow it to sit a room temperature before combining with the rest of the ingredients for best results. 
5. Butter - Any salted or unsalted butter, from your favorite brand can be used. Allow it time to soften to room temperature or use melted butter for easier mixing. Additional butter is also needed to brush the tops of the warm rolls after baking. 
6. Salt - Prevents the rolls from tasting flat. Use any that you prefer, I like to use kosher salt for baking.
7. All-Purpose Flour - Plain all-purpose flour is all that is needed to make these rolls. Be sure to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Don't scoop the measuring cup directly into the bag/container or it will pack the flour and you'll end up with too much. For the most accurate amount, use a food scale. Bread flour is not needed for this recipe and it has not been tried/tested with whole wheat flour. You will need 3 cups plus a little extra for kneading. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Step-By-Step Instructions 

Begin making the homemade dinner rolls by starting with the dough. Using a small bowl or measuring cup add the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Whisk together to combine, cover, and allow it to time to proof for 5 minutes. The yeast will proof and become foamy. If not try it again because the yeast could be bad or the milk temperature could have been too hot. Keep in mind if your milk is too hot, then it will kill the yeast.

Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment on low speed, add the yeast mixture, sugar, egg, butter, salt, and a cup of all-purpose flour.

Mix for 30 seconds until combined. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then slowly add in the rest of the flour, adjust the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the dough forms, about 2 minutes. 

Sprinkle a tiny amount of all-purpose flour onto a clean work surface before adding the dough and shaping it to form a large dough ball.

Add the dough to a large bowl lightly greased with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Turn the dough around in the bowl to coat it in the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil, place it in a draft-free warm place and allow it time for the first rise, about 1 to 2 hours or until it doubles in size. 

Lightly butter or grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Once the dough is ready, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 12 to 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth dough ball and place it into the prepared baking dish. Be sure to leave enough space around each ball of dough for it to rise. 

Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil, place it in a warm spot and allow it time for the second rise, about 1 hour, until each ball doubles in size. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and adjust the baking rack to the lower position in the oven. Place the rolls into the oven and allow them to bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Carefully remove the rolls from the oven and generously brush the top of each roll with butter. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Old Fashioned Rolls 

• Be sure to allow the yeast to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. It will bubble up a bit and that means the yeast has activated. If you don't see that it bubbles, that means the yeast is dead and your dough will not rise. You will need to start the process all over and check the date on the package of yeast before using it.
• When allowing the dough to rise, be sure you cover it, or it will dry out the dough. Use a light kitchen towel, loosely wrapped plastic wrap, or even a two-layer cover of paper towels. Also, make sure it is not in a cold drafty area. I find placing it into a cold (turned off) oven works very well.
• To make the process easier, add the warm milk, yeast, and sugar to the stand mixer bowl and allow it to proof in the bowl before adding the other ingredients on top of the yeast mixture. 
• Try not to overwork the dough or handle it too much to prevent your rolls from being tough. We want to keep them light and fluffy!

Storage 

Storage. If you have any leftover rolls, allow them to fully cool before covering them tightly to store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. If you prefer to store them in the refrigerator instead, place them in an airtight container or plastic storage bag, they should last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. 

Freezing. The baked homemade rolls can be frozen. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or double-wrap wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store them for up to 2 months. When ready to serve them again, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature. You may reheat them in the oven at 300 degrees F. for about 10 minutes or until warm. 

Make Ahead. These rolls are perfect to make a day in advance. Follow the instructions all the way up to forming the dough balls and placing them in the baking dish. Cover the baking dish tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight or up to 15 hours. Remove from the refrigerator and allow them time to rise at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before baking. If you prefer to let the dough rise the first time in the refrigerator overnight, you may do that instead and cover the bowl tightly and store it in the refrigerator overnight for up to 15 hours. 

More Easy Recipes You'll Love 

• Cinnamon Rolls 
• Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls 
• Southern Cornbread 
• Easy Cornbread Dressing Recipe 
• Easy Candied Yams 
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes 
• Cajun Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey 
• Easy Sweet Potato Pie 

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy these Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe