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Soft Homemade Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter

Soft homemade dinner rolls are kneaded until smooth and slightly tacky, then baked until golden brown and brushed with honey butter. The fluffy rolls make a tender, lightly sweet side for dinner.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Rising and resting 2 hours 3 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 51 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the rolls
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
  • 5 tbsp honey divided (3 tablespoons for the dough and 2 tablespoons for the honey butter)
  • 1 egg large, at room temperature
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 3.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 nonstick cooking spray for greasing
For the honey butter
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.125 tsp kosher salt

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking dish
  • 1 electric mixer with dough hook

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. Warm the milk to 105–110°F.
  2. Stir in the yeast and 3 tablespoons of the honey; let stand for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
  3. Stir in the egg and melted butter, then add the flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
  4. Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes or with a dough hook for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky.
Rise and shape the rolls
  1. Lightly coat a large bowl with cooking spray, add the dough, and cover.
  2. Let rise in a warm place for 60–90 minutes, until doubled in size.
  3. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  4. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, shape into balls, and arrange in the dish; cover.
  5. Let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
Make the honey butter
  1. Beat the softened butter with the remaining 2 tablespoons honey and 1/8 teaspoon salt until smooth.
Bake the rolls
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
  3. Brush the warm rolls with some of the honey butter and let rest for 10 minutes.
  4. Serve with the remaining honey butter.

Notes

For soft rolls, knead until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky without adding excess flour. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze for longer storage. For a dairy-free variation, use unsweetened oat milk and plant-based butter.