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Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe with Easy Overnight Rise

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These fluffy homemade dinner rolls feature a soft, buttery texture with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb, made easy with an overnight rise for minimal hands-on time. Perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, or cozy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) warm whole milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • Optional: melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Bloom the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F / 43°C), sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour and salt. Add the softened butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts coming together.
  3. Knead the dough: Knead by hand on a floured surface or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
  4. First rise – overnight: Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).
  5. Shape the rolls: The next morning, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Punch down gently and divide into 12 equal pieces (about 2 oz / 57 g each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, spaced evenly.
  6. Second rise: Cover the shaped rolls with a towel and let rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, until puffy and nearly doubled.
  7. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) about 15 minutes before baking.
  8. Bake: Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes until golden brown on top and hollow-sounding when tapped. Tent with foil halfway through if over-browning occurs.
  9. Brush with butter: Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter for a shiny, soft crust.
  10. Cool and enjoy: Let rolls cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use warm milk at about 110°F to activate yeast properly. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic but slightly tacky. Cover dough tightly during rising to prevent dry crust. Brushing with melted butter after baking adds flavor and softness. For a same-day rise, do two 2-hour rises at room temperature but expect less flavor and softness.

Nutrition

Keywords: dinner rolls, homemade rolls, fluffy rolls, overnight rise, easy bread recipe, soft rolls, buttery rolls