Perfect Yeast Rolls

These Easy Yeast Rolls may take a little more time to prepare but they are worth every step!  Baking with yeast is easy with this yeast rolls recipe.

My husband makes these Perfect Yeast Rolls for us every time we host special occasions at our house, or when I actually remember to remind him early enough for dinner. ?  They may not be quick 30-minute dinner rolls, but stick with me, they are worth the time!

These homemade yeast rolls need time to rise to perfection, but they don’t require a lot of fuss.  The result is a fluffy, yeasty, delicious roll.  This recipe can easily be doubled if you need to make a big batch for a crowd.  

We always end up with a few extra, and they are delicious the next morning with sausage and gravy.  I like to sneak one fresh from the oven and drizzle it with local honey.  YUM.

What’s in These Yeast Rolls? 

These really are the best easy yeast rolls for beginners! Here’s all you’ll need to make them: 

• Milk
• Active dry yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Butter
• Salt
• All-purpose flour 

How to Make Yeast Rolls 

1. Heat the milk in the microwave, then sprinkle the yeast over top. Let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
2. Add sugar, salt, butter, and egg. Mix thoroughly.
3. Gradually mix in the flour. 
4. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
5. Punch the dough down, cover, and let stand another hour in a warm place.
6. Punch the dough down again, cover, let stand another hour in a warm place.
7. Punch the dough down, and pinch off into 18 equal portions. Roll each portion of dough into a ball.
8. Place in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.
9. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes.

What Type of Yeast Should I Use? 

Once you understand the basics of baking with yeast, you will be making light, airy, fluffy breads and rolls in no time.  In a nutshell, yeast eats various sugars and excretes alcohol and carbon dioxide. Alcohol and carbon dioxide are what the pockets in bread are filled with as bread bakes.  There are a few varieties of yeast, but this recipe for Perfect Yeast Rolls uses “active” yeast, instead of “instant” yeast.

Active Dry Yeast vs. Instant Yeast 

Active Dry Yeast is the most commonly available form for home bakers.  It’s available in ¼-oz packets or jars.  The yeast is dormant, needs to be “proofed” and rehydrated before using. 

Instant Yeast comes in smaller granules than active dry yeast, absorbs liquid rapidly, and doesn’t need to be hydrated or proofed before being mixed into flour.  

Tips for the Best Yeast Rolls

• You’re welcome to add additional flour if needed. Once everything is mixed together, the dough should no longer be sticky, but also not dry.
• When dividing the dough into balls, each should be slightly larger than a golf ball. 
• These homemade rolls are best the day they’re made, but they can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

More Easy Bread Recipes: 

• Jalapeno Cheddar Dinner Rolls
• Buttermilk Cornbread
• Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing

Perfect Yeast Rolls

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 18 rolls

Calories: 137kcal

Author: Emily Grace

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 1/4 cups milk
• ▢ 2 tsp active dry yeast
• ▢ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter , softened
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 3 1/2 cups flour (use more as needed)

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Instructions

• Heat the milk in the microwave for one minute, stirring at 30 seconds.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the milk, let sit undisturbed for five minutes.
• Add sugar, salt, butter, and egg. Mix thoroughly.
• Gradually mix in the flour. Add additional flour if needed. The dough should no longer be sticky, but not dry.
• Cover; let stand one hour.
• Punch the dough down, cover, let stand another hour in a warm place.
• Punch the dough down again, cover, let stand another hour in a warm place.
• Punch the dough down, and pinch off into 18 equal portions. Should be slightly larger than a golf ball. Roll each portion of dough into a ball.
• Place in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.
• Bake at 400ºF for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1.2mg

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