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Honey Whole Wheat Rolls
5 from 18 votes

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls

Honey Whole Wheat Rolls are soft, mildly sweet yeast rolls made with white whole wheat flour, honey, eggs, and a bit of vital wheat gluten for improved texture. The dough is proofed, divided into equal portions, and baked in a buttered dish for tender rolls with a slightly sweet flavor and light crumb. The rolls are brushed with butter after baking for a glossy finish and added richness.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 15
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water 110 - 115 degrees, warm
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter softened, plus more for brushing tops
  • 1/3 cup (96g) honey
  • 2 large egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (175ml) milk warmed to 110 - 115 degrees
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 2 Tbsp (19g) vital wheat gluten
  • 4 cups (570g) white whole wheat flour then more as needed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer whisk together water yeast and sugar then let rest 5 minutes to proof.
  2. Meanwhile, place eggs in a bowl, cover with warm water and let rest 5 minutes (this is just to bring them to room temperature so the rolls rise better.
  3. Add butter, honey, eggs, salt and milk to the yeast mixture and blend. Then add in lemon juice, vital wheat gluten and 2 cups of the wheat flour and blend. 
  4. Switch to a dough hook, then add remaining 2 cups wheat flour and knead mixture on low (2nd speed) for 4 minutes, while adding in a little more flour as needed (dough should stick to bottom of bowl but not sides near the end of mixing, also it should not stick to your fingertip). 
  5. Cover bowl and let rest 1 hour. 
  6. Punch dough dough and divide into 15 equal portions (I like to use my scale to make them even, you can also roll into a rectangle then cut into 15 equal portions). 
  7. Butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and place rolls in baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap (while leaving room for the rolls to expand under the plastic wrap). 
  8. Let rest until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees during last 20 minutes of rolls rising.
  9. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown on top and cooked through, about 12 - 15 minutes (they should register 190 degrees in center). 
  10. Brush tops with butter (about 1 Tbsp, I just run the stick of butter over the tops). Serve warm or let cool on a wire rack then store in an airtight container.
  11. *If you don't want the full flavor of the whole wheat rolls you can substitute 2 cups all-purpose flour in place of 2 cups of the wheat flour. If doing so omit vital wheat gluten.*Also if you can't find white whole wheat flour regular whole wheat flour may be substituted they just may not be quite as fluffy.
  12. Recipe source: Cooking Classy