Mom’s Homemade Rolls

5 from 3 votes
6 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

Mom’s Homemade Rolls recipe is a classic recipe for delicious rolls. We serve them as a side with soup or salad, and they are a must at holidays and dinnertimes!

Moms Rolls and Pesto Rolls in a bread basket with a plaid napkin
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Pesto Rolls
  2. Turn Homemade Rolls into Pesto Rolls
  3. Tips for Perfect Rolls
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Spreads for the Homemade Rolls
  6. Mom’s Homemade Rolls Recipe

These homemade rolls are a favorite of my entire family and have been passed down for generations. My mom made these homemade rolls as far back as I can remember on Sundays and special occasions.

Every holiday, you can bet that a basket of these incredible homemade rolls has been passed around the table. Always, the rolls were one of the first things to get devoured. You are lucky if there are some leftover for turkey sandwiches the next day!

Ingredients for Pesto Rolls

Mom’s always know how to bake the best dinner rolls. Now, you will love how easily these ingredients come together. Although, these homemade rolls take time to rise, you will appreciate them when they come out of the oven. Bake within the day and enjoy perfectly golden brown rolls!

  • Yeast – Active dry yeast is best for quick and easy rolls.
  • Sugar – Yeast thrives on sugar and water. This is just what you need to help activate the yeast.
  • Water – Warm water helps aid in the yeast mixture.
  • Milk – Scalded warm milk to be specific. It will need to be hot by heating it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
  • Butter – Salted or unsalted butter will work for this recipe. I softened the butter ahead of time, setting it out on the counter until it was room temperature.
  • Salt – Add in salt in order for the dough to rise.
  • Sugar – It may sound crazy to add in more sugar for the dough, but this will add a sweet flavor you will want.
  • Eggs – Large eggs are best for this easy dinner roll recipe.
  • Flour – This will bind the bread together. Add one cup at a time into the mixing bowl. When ready to knead the dough, create a floured work surface with extra flour.

Turn Homemade Rolls into Pesto Rolls

While I love these homemade rolls as they are, I sometimes like to change them up a bit to go with themed dinners. Typically, one of my favorite ways to flavor these rolls is to make them into pesto rolls—they are fantastic with Italian dinners! I’ve included how you can use this same dough recipe for a pesto roll in the directions below.

Tips for Perfect Rolls

If making homemade dinner rolls intimidates you, don’t let it! As I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, I’m including some of the tips and tricks you can use to create the perfect homemade rolls:

  • The recipe can be easily doubled or halved if you need a different quantity.
  • Use all-purpose flour for the best results. Also, leave the flour out to use when kneading the dough, using a lightly floured surface on your countertop or table.
  • The milk will need to be scalded in this homemade rolls recipe. The easiest way to do it is to microwave your milk for about three minutes.
  • For a quicker rise, place the bread dough in a warm place. This will help raise the dough.
  • If using a bowl of a stand mixer, use a dough hook attachment when mixing the wet and dry ingredients together.
  • 8-10 cups of all-purpose flour are needed for this roll. So, start with eight cups, then check the consistency before determining if you need to add any more. The dough should be sticky, like elastic, yet easily pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes homemade rolls tough?

Adding in too much flour to the dough and all at once can create tougher rolls. Also, the rolls can become tough because of the dough being over kneaded or over-mixed.

Why aren’t my yeast rolls light and fluffy?

Not giving your dinner rolls enough time to proof and get puffy before baking could create dense or hard dinner rolls.

How do you make bread more fluffy?

To make your bread even more fluffy, add in a dough enhancer like vital wheat gluten. This will create a much lighter and fluffier bread.

Spreads for the Homemade Rolls

One of my favorite methods is to make a batch and use them with homemade spreads. These work great alongside the homemade rolls for dinner, breakfast, or any other meal. Here are some excellent spreads to make with these homemade rolls:

Moms Rolls and Pesto Rolls in a bread basket with a plaid napkin

Mom’s Homemade Rolls

5 from 3 votes
Mom’s Homemade Rolls recipe is a classic recipe for delicious rolls. We serve them as a side with soup or salad, and they are a must at Thanksgiving dinner!
Prep Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 24

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch pan

Ingredients

In a small bowl combine:

  • 2 Tablespoons yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water

In a large bowl combine:

  • 2 cups scalded milk microwave for 3 min
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs

You will also need:

  • 8 to 10 cups of flour

Instructions

  • Beat the ingredients in the large bowl with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Add the yeast mixture to the small bowl. Stir in the 8 to 10 cups of flour 1 cup at a time. You will know you have enough flour when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, it should still be sticky. Pour some more flour onto a flat clean surface and knead into a soft dough, adding flour as needed.
  • Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  • Knead again, then place into a bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and raise for 1 hour.
  • Punch down the dough and let raise 10 more minutes.
  • Roll out dough and break off sections to form into small rolls. They should be about half the size you would like your finished roll to be.
  • Place rolls in a pan or cookie sheet and raise again for about 15 to 20 minutes. They shouldn’t be touching before raising, but should be after raising.
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Notes

How to Make Pesto Rolls

Instead of breaking the dough into rolls, roll the dough out into a large rectangular shape. Brush pesto sauce (I get mine from Costco) all over the dough. Roll the dough up lengthwise and seal along the edge. Cut into 2-inch slices and place on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise until double in size then bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle with parmesan or mozzarella cheese.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 374mgPotassium: 88mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 290IUCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review

 



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

More about Emily Walker

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments