Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls
User Reviews
5
Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls
Description
Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls are prepared with a mixture of milk, water, yeast, sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, and bread flour. The warm liquid activates the yeast, which is combined with other ingredients and kneaded into a smooth, elastic dough. After a first rise in a greased bowl until doubled, the dough is shaped, placed in a baking dish greased with softened butter, and baked at 375F (190C). Following baking, optional brushing with melted butter enhances flavor and appearance. The resulting rolls have a soft crumb and gentle sweetness from the sugar and butter.
The richness from eggs and butter contributes to a tender texture and a slightly golden crust. These rolls can be prepared ahead by freezing and reheating or kept fresh up to four days in an airtight container at room temperature.
They are suitable as dinner accompaniments, sandwich bases, or for breakfast with jam or butter. Their make-ahead nature makes them ideal for planning meals without last-minute baking.
Storing the rolls properly ensures freshness, and gentle reheating maintains softness. When freezing, wrapping rolls tightly prevents freezer burn and quality loss. This recipe balances yeast fermentation and enrichment for reliable results.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk whole
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar divided, 1 teaspoon
- ⅓ cup butter melted, unsalted
- 2 egg room temperature preferred, large
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 - 5 cups bread flour plus additional as needed
- 2 Tablespoons butter softened (for greasing baking dish)
- 3 Tablespoons butter for brushing rolls after baking, optional, melted, salted
Instructions
- Combine milk and water in a microwave-safe bowl and heat to 115F (46C). Pour into a large mixing bowl, add yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir well to combine. Let sit until yeast is foamy, 5-10 minutes.
- Add remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, and 2 cups (250g) of bread flour. Stir until well combined.
- Gradually stir in remaining flour, adding more as needed. Dough should begin to cling to itself in a ball and pull away from the sides of the bowl when mixing.
- Transfer dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, adding additional flour if dough becomes too sticky to manage. (This should take about 10 minutes by hand, or about 5 minutes if using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment).
- Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place dough in bowl, turn to coat dough all over with oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C) (if baking same day). Generously grease a 9x13” dish with 2 Tablespoons of butter. Punch down dough to deflate. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 24 equal portions. Form each portion into a ball, pulling down the sides to create tension on the surface, and place in baking dish. Balls of dough will be barely touching each other.
- If baking same day: Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise again until dough has increased 50% in size. Once increased in size, remove plastic wrap and bake in 375F (190C) oven for 22-24 minutes. Rolls will be golden brown on top.
- If baking next day: Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove rolls from refrigerator, leave covered and let rest at room temperature while oven preheats to 375F (190C). Remove plastic wrap and bake in 375F (190C) oven for 25-30 minutes. Rolls will be golden brown on top.
- After removing from oven, brush tops of rolls with melted butter, if desired, and enjoy.
Notes
- Store baked rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, tightly wrap rolls and freeze for several months; thaw completely before reheating.
- Softened butter used for greasing the baking dish helps prevent sticking and contributes to a tender crust.
- Brushing rolls with melted salted butter after baking adds flavor and an attractive shine but is optional.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 138 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 138kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 28mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 173mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 42mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 184IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.001mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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