There is nothing that completes a holiday meal or a cozy family dinner quite like a basket of warm, homemade dinner rolls. This recipe for Salted Honey Dinner Rolls is my absolute go-to because they are spectacularly soft, fluffy, and have the most incredible sweet and salty finish. The moment these golden-brown beauties come out of the oven, their tops glistening with honey butter, your kitchen will be filled with the most comforting and irresistible aroma.
You will be completely smitten with this recipe. The dough is enriched with milk, honey, and egg yolks, which creates an exceptionally tender and flavorful crumb. The final brush of honey butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt creates a perfect harmony of flavors that elevates these from simple dinner rolls to a truly memorable treat.
The Ingredients for Your Fluffy Dinner Rolls
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature (for the baking pan)
- 4 1/2 (572g) cups all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 teaspoons Instant Yeast, (see Notes for using dry active yeast)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/3 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
For Egg Wash:
-
1 large egg, (beaten, for egg wash topping)
For Honey Butter:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon honey
- Flakey sea salt
How to Create Your Salted Honey Dinner Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First, thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with the 1 tablespoon of room temperature butter. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, ¼ cup of butter, and 4 tablespoons of honey over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm (no hotter than 120°F). Pour this warm liquid into the dry ingredients. Add the egg and egg yolks, and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.
Step 2: Shape the Rolls
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a clean surface. Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces (about 72g each if you’re using a scale). Roll each piece into a smooth, tight ball by stretching the dough and pinching it at the bottom. Arrange the dough balls in your prepared baking pan.
Step 3: The Second Rise
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until they have puffed up and are touching each other.
Step 4: Bake and Finish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the tops of the puffy rolls with the beaten egg wash. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the rolls are a beautiful golden brown. While the rolls are baking, make the honey butter by melting the ¼ cup of butter with the 2 tablespoons of honey in a small saucepan. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, immediately brush the tops generously with the warm honey butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm.
My Best Tips for These Dinner Rolls
My Secret for the Richest Rolls
The addition of two extra egg yolks to the dough is the secret to an incredibly rich, tender, and flavorful dinner roll. The fat from the yolks contributes to a softer crumb and a more golden color, making these rolls exceptionally delicious.
Don’t Kill the Yeast!
When you’re warming the milk, butter, and honey mixture, it’s crucial that it doesn’t get too hot. The ideal temperature is between 110-120°F. If it’s much hotter, it can kill the yeast, and your rolls won’t rise. A good rule of thumb is that it should feel comfortably warm to the touch, like a baby’s bottle.
The Instant Gratification of Honey Butter
The best time to brush the rolls with the honey butter is the moment they come out of the hot oven. The warm rolls will absorb the buttery, sweet mixture, making them extra moist and flavorful. The sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the warm, sticky glaze is the final, perfect touch.
Delicious Variations to Try
These Salted Honey Dinner Rolls are a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious twists. You can add a tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary or thyme to the dough for a more savory, herbal flavor. For a cheesy version, you can fold in a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese when you’re first mixing the dough. You could also add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the honey butter for a garlic-honey finish.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can. To use active dry yeast, you’ll need to “bloom” it first. Warm the milk mixture as directed, then sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. Then, you can proceed with the recipe as written.
Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the rolls up to the second rise. After you’ve shaped them and placed them in the pan, cover them tightly and refrigerate them overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours to finish rising before baking.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness, you can warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes.
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Salted Honey Dinner Rolls
- Total Time: 120
- Yield: 15 rolls 1x
Description
These Salted Honey Dinner Rolls are spectacularly soft, fluffy, and have an incredible sweet and salty finish. The dough is enriched with milk, honey, and egg yolks for an exceptionally tender and flavorful crumb. A final brush of honey butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt elevates these from simple dinner rolls to a truly memorable holiday or family dinner treat.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature (for the baking pan)
4 1/2 (572g) cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons Instant Yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
4 tablespoons honey
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
For Egg Wash:
1 large egg, beaten
For Honey Butter:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoon honey
Flakey sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. In a saucepan, warm the milk, ¼ cup of butter, and 4 tablespoons of honey until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm (no hotter than 120°F). Pour the warm liquid into the dry ingredients. Add the egg and egg yolks, and knead for 5-7 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30-40 minutes.
Shape the Rolls:
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 15 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth, tight ball and arrange them in the prepared baking pan.
The Second Rise:
Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for about 30 minutes, until they are puffed up and touching.
Bake and Finish:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg wash. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown. While the rolls bake, melt the ¼ cup of butter with the 2 tablespoons of honey for the honey butter. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, immediately brush the tops generously with the warm honey butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Notes
Make-Ahead Option:
You can prepare these rolls up to the second rise. After shaping them and placing them in the pan, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours to finish rising before baking.
Using Active Dry Yeast:
If using active dry yeast instead of instant, you will need to “bloom” it first. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before proceeding with the recipe.
Storage:
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Bread, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: dinner rolls, honey butter rolls, salted honey rolls, fluffy rolls, homemade bread, holiday side dish
