This dinner roll recipe took Chef Rachel Farnsworth more than 5 years of testing to develop. Since then, it’s been loved by millions around the world, receiving rave reviews and being hailed as the best dinner roll on the internet. In addition to being published in her bestselling cookbook, The Whole Family Chef’s Family Favorites, this dinner roll recipe is used in restaurants and bakeries around the world.
Whether you are new to bread making or a seasoned baker, this recipe is sure to please. Be sure to check out the FAQs for any troubleshooting and watch the accompanying video demonstration so you too can enjoy these famous rolls at home.
What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
Don’t have a blender? no problem! You can knead the dough by hand! Stir with a spoon until it becomes too difficult to stir. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead by hand, gradually adding more flour, folding, pressing and working the dough (kneading) until you have a soft and smooth ball of dough that is sticky but not sticky enough to stick to your hands .
What is the difference between active dry yeast and instant dry yeast?
Instant dry yeast can be added directly to the dry ingredients without any waiting period or proofing. It also rises a bit faster. Active dry yeast is a larger particle that usually needs to be dissolved in a liquid before adding it to a recipe. It’s a little slower to boot, so expect a 10-15 minute increase in rise time.
How should the dough feel?
The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky, but still very soft and pliable. If it sticks to your hands or the sides of the bowl, you need more flour. If you add too much flour, the dough will be tough and your rolls will be too, so add a little bit of flour at a time. The exact amount of flour you add when making your bread can vary widely, so it’s important to use your feel. I would say you can feel the soft rolls just by touching the dough.
How should I measure flour? Should I screen it?
Store-bought flour these days is generally pre-sifted. There is no need to sift your flour. I prefer the scoop method because it’s so convenient. Simply fluff your flour, use your measuring cup to scoop out the flour, and smooth the top. Weighing flour with a kitchen scale is the only way to ensure complete accuracy. Even so, breadmaking is both fickle and forgiving, and the actual amount of flour you add can vary due to the humidity in the air. When making this roll, it’s best to follow the texture of the dough. 1 cup of flour is about 125 grams.
Can I substitute gluten free flour?
This recipe is not intended to be gluten-free. Gluten-free baking involves a whole different chemistry. In general, you can’t substitute gluten-free flour in baking recipes and expect it to work, however, several people have reported that a mix like Cup for Cup will work.
How can I make my volumes equal in size?
The best way to make sure the rolls are equal in size is to weigh them. Use a kitchen scale to weigh the entire batch of dough and divide that weight by 24. This will give you a target weight for each roll of dough. Typically, this is about 2.5 oz.
How do I shape dinner rolls so they are round?
Once you have divided your dough into 24 pieces, you can shape your rolls. Cup your hands parallel to a clean work surface. Place the dough ball between the palm of your hand and the countertop. Roll the dough out in a circular motion between the palm of your hand and the work surface for about 30 to 45 seconds, until you get a smooth round dough.
Would this roll recipe make a good loaf? How about cinnamon rolls?
We love a good loaf of bread, and we know that the amazing results of these rolls will quickly leave you wondering if you could turn that into a loaf. Unfortunately, the result of this unbelievably soft and melt-in-your-moth roll does not yield a sturdy loaf. Instead, we’ve worked tirelessly to bring you the ultimate guide to homemade bread.
This recipe really does make an incredible batch of cinnamon rolls. Be sure to check out the best homemade cinnamon rolls ever!