Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter

Introduction

Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter are soft, fluffy, and irresistibly comforting—a perfect addition to any meal. These golden rolls are baked to perfection with a tender, pillowy interior and a lightly crisp, buttery exterior. The touch of sweetness in the honey butter enhances their flavor, making each bite both cozy and indulgent.

What makes this recipe so special is its versatility and universal appeal. Whether served alongside a hearty dinner, a holiday feast, or as part of a brunch spread, these rolls elevate any table. The homemade honey butter adds a luxurious finish that melts beautifully into the warm rolls, creating a sweet and savory combination that everyone loves.

Simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter bring warmth, comfort, and a touch of indulgence to every meal, making them a timeless favorite in kitchens everywhere.

Why We Love This Recipe

Soft and Fluffy Texture: These rolls are tender and pillowy on the inside, with a lightly crisp exterior, making each bite delightfully satisfying.

Sweet and Buttery Flavor: The addition of honey butter elevates the rolls with a touch of sweetness and rich, buttery indulgence, creating a flavor combination that’s hard to resist.

Perfect for Any Meal: Whether it’s a family dinner, holiday feast, or brunch, these rolls complement a variety of dishes, from savory mains to hearty soups, making them incredibly versatile.

Homemade Freshness: Making these rolls from scratch fills your kitchen with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere.

Simple Yet Impressive: The recipe is approachable for bakers of all levels but yields rolls that look and taste like they came from a bakery.

Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by adults and children alike, these rolls are almost always the first thing to disappear from the dinner table.

Customizable: You can enhance them with toppings like sesame seeds, herbs, or an extra drizzle of honey butter for a personalized touch.

It’s a must-try dish

• Perfectly Soft and Fluffy: The rolls have a tender, airy interior that melts in your mouth, paired with a lightly golden exterior that gives just the right amount of texture.
• Delicious Sweet-Buttery Flavor: Honey butter adds a rich, sweet, and creamy finish that elevates the simple bread into an indulgent treat loved by everyone.
• Versatile Side Dish: These rolls complement a wide variety of meals—from holiday roasts and family dinners to soups and stews—making them a universally appealing addition to any table.
• Homemade Freshness: Baking them from scratch fills your kitchen with a comforting aroma, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for any meal.
• Simple Yet Impressive: Easy to make yet visually and flavorfully stunning, these rolls deliver bakery-quality results without complicated steps.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both children and adults, these rolls are often the first item to disappear, proving their universal appeal.
• Customizable: You can easily add toppings like sesame seeds, herbs, or extra honey butter to personalize them for any occasion or taste preference.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes (active)
• Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 18–20 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 12 rolls
• Calories (per roll with honey butter): ~210 kcal
• Cuisine: American
• Cooking Method: Baking
• Course: Side Bread

Ingredients

For the Dinner Rolls:

• 3 ¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature

For the Honey Butter:

• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp honey
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Activate Yeast:
   In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make Dough:
   Stir in melted butter, egg, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead:
   Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic (or use a stand mixer with dough hook).
4. First Rise:
   Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
5. Shape Rolls:
   Punch down dough, divide into 12 equal pieces, and shape into balls. Arrange in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Second Rise:
   Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes, until puffy.
7. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
8. Make Honey Butter:
   Mix softened butter, honey, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
9. Serve:
   Brush warm rolls generously with honey butter before serving.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Step 1: Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast; let foam.
2. Step 2: Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour.
3. Step 3: Knead dough until smooth.
4. Step 4: Let dough rise until doubled (1 hour).
5. Step 5: Divide into 12 rolls; arrange in baking dish.
6. Step 6: Let rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Step 7: Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes.
8. Step 8: Make honey butter and brush over warm rolls.

How to Serve

Serve warm, straight from the oven, with extra honey butter on the side. These rolls are perfect alongside soups, roasted meats, or holiday spreads.

Additional Recipe Tips & Variations

• Extra Soft Rolls: Replace half the milk with buttermilk for added tenderness.
• Garlic Herb Variation: Add minced garlic and fresh herbs to the melted butter for a savory twist.
• Whole Wheat Version: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• Make Ahead: Shape rolls and refrigerate overnight before the second rise; bake the next day.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in oven before serving.
• Freezing Dough: Freeze shaped, unbaked rolls after first rise; thaw overnight in fridge before baking.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Pastry brush

Conclusion

These Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter are fluffy, golden, and irresistibly sweetened with a luscious glaze. They’re the perfect side to elevate any meal, from casual dinners to holiday feasts.