Introduction
One of the most common problems when making dinner rolls is getting them to come out soft and fluffy. But with a little know-how and some basic ingredients, you can learn how to make dinner rolls that are perfect every time. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making dinner rolls step-by-step by breaking down the ingredients, different techniques, yeast science, cultural takes on dinner rolls, holiday twists, and even vegan and gluten-free options.
Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures
Before starting your dinner rolls recipe, make sure you have the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Instant yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Butter
- Egg
- Milk
Once you have all the ingredients, follow these steps:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour (3 cups), instant yeast (1 tbsp), sugar (2 tbsp), and salt (1 tsp).
- Add in melted butter (2 tbsp), egg, and lukewarm milk (1 cup) to the mixing bowl and stir well.
- Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Cover and let it rise for an hour in a warm and draft-free place.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into small balls.
- Place them in a greased baking dish and let it sit for another 30-40 minutes until the balls have doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the dinner rolls for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown. Brush butter over the top to prevent it from drying out and serve.
Baking Techniques for Perfect Dinner Rolls + Recipe
Different baking techniques can lead to perfectly baked dinner rolls. Here are some tips to perfect your dinner rolls:
- Use lukewarm milk for your dough, as cold milk can prevent the yeast from working properly.
- Add flour gradually, as too much flour can result in a dense and heavy texture.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth while it’s rising to prevent it from drying out.
- Roll the dough balls tightly and place them close together in a baking dish for a softer crust.
Here’s a recipe that highlights these techniques:
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (3 cups)
- Instant yeast (1 tbsp)
- Sugar (2 tbsp)
- Salt (1 tsp)
- Butter (2 tbsp)
- Egg
- Lukewarm milk (1 cup)
Instructions:
- Combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Add melted butter, egg, and lukewarm milk to the mixing bowl and stir well.
- Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until soft and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise for an hour in a warm and draft-free place.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into small balls.
- Place them in a baking dish and let it sit for another 30-40 minutes until they have doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the dinner rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Vegan Option for Dinner Rolls
To make dinner rolls vegan-friendly, you can use alternative ingredients such as coconut milk and flax eggs. Here is a vegan dinner rolls recipe using these alternatives:
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (2 and 1/2 cups)
- Instant yeast (2 and 1/4 tsp)
- Sugar (1/4 cup)
- Salt (1 tsp)
- Coconut milk (3/4 cup)
- Applesauce (1/2 cup)
- Flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix the flaxseed meal and water together to make a flax egg.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add coconut milk, applesauce, and flax egg to the mixing bowl and stir well.
- Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Cover and let it rise for an hour in a warm and draft-free place.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into small balls.
- Place them in a greased baking dish and let it sit for another 30-40 minutes until the balls have doubled in size.
- Bake the dinner rolls for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown.
Yeast Science and Tips for Activation
Understanding the science behind yeast can help you get the best results when making dinner rolls. Yeast is a type of fungus, and it needs warm and moist conditions to activate. To get the best results from your yeast, follow these tips:
- Use warm liquid (not too hot!) to activate yeast, as this creates a comfortable environment for it to work.
- Add sugar or honey to the liquid to feed the yeast and speed up the activation process.
- Let your yeast mixture sit for a few minutes (around five minutes) before adding it to your dry ingredients to ensure that it is active and frothy.
Cultural Takes on Dinner Rolls
Countries all over the world make and serve dinner rolls in their unique way. Here are two recipes that highlight different cultural takes on dinner rolls:
Parker House Rolls: Originating in Boston, Massachusetts, Parker House Rolls are known for their buttery flavor and crescent shape.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (4 cups)
- Instant yeast (2 tsp)
- Sugar (1/4 cup)
- Salt (2 tsp)
- Milk (1 cup)
- Butter (4 tbsp)
- Egg (1)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add milk and butter to a pot and heat until the butter melts. Let it cool.
- Add the cooled milk and egg to the mixing bowl and stir it well.
- Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Cover and let it rise for an hour in a warm and draft-free place.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a flat disk. Then cut the dough into triangles.
- Make a crease in the center of each triangle and fold it in half, pressing down on the edges lightly to seal.
- Let it sit again for another 30-40 minutes until the rolls have doubled in size.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake them for 10-12 minutes at 425°F (220°C) until they’re golden brown.
Baozi: A popular Chinese dim sum, Baozi are yeast-fermented buns that are filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (4 cups)
- Active dry yeast (1 tbsp)
- Sugar (3 tbsp)
- Salt (1 tsp)
- Warm water (1 cup)
- Vegetable oil (3 tbsp)
- Green onions, finely chopped (1 bunch)
- Ground pork (1/2 pound)
- Soy sauce (2 tbsp)
- Rice wine (1 tbsp)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add warm water and oil to the mixing bowl and stir well.
- Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Cover and let it rise for an hour in a warm and draft-free place.
- Mix the chopped green onion, ground pork, soy sauce, and rice wine together in a mixing bowl.
- Roll out the dough and cut it into small circles with a cookie cutter.
- Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle and seal it by pinching the edges together.
- Let the buns sit again for another 30-40 minutes until they have doubled in size.
- Steam the buns for 15 minutes on high heat, and serve hot.
Holiday Spin on Dinner Rolls
Adding festive ingredients to dinner rolls can bring a holiday twist to them. Here are some suggestions:
- Add cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm pumpkin spice flavor for Thanksgiving rolls.
- Add rosemary and garlic for a savory Christmas rosemary roll.
- Add dried cranberries or raisins for a sweet, fruity roll for any holiday.
Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls
For those who are gluten-free, there are alternative flours that won’t affect the taste of dinner rolls. Here are some suggestions:
- Almond flour
- Oat flour
- Coconut flour
- Buckwheat flour
Substitute any of these flours for all-purpose flour in your dinner roll recipe to make gluten-free dinner rolls.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned about different dinner roll recipes, baking techniques, yeast activation, cultural takes, holiday twists, and gluten-free options, it’s time to get baking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and techniques to make your perfect dinner rolls every time.
