These are the best Yeast Rolls and they turn out perfect every time. With just the right amount of sweetness, these homemade rolls taste heavenly slathered with butter. They are a great addition for a Sunday supper or holiday meal. And they are a must on the Thanksgiving table.

The Best Yeast Rolls

These rolls are so buttery and light and they bake up golden on top. They are light, but sturdy enough to make mini sandwiches with.

There is nothing better than homemade rolls. I can eat my weight in them. Store bought rolls don’t even come close to competing. These yeast rolls take a little time investment, but it is so worth it. They really are the best yeast rolls.

★★★★★
What readers are saying

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! We had a houseful for family reunion with several teenage boys. The rolls were such a hit but for one thing…I didn’t make enough!!! Next time I will know make more per person.

The Best Yeast Rolls

This recipe is made from your basic dinner roll ingredients: yeast, flour, butter, eggs, and milk plus some sugar. The eggs and butter add a wonderful richness to the rolls.

Why Aren’t My Rolls Light and Fluffy?

No one wants dense rolls. They should be light and fluffy like a pillow. Here are some of the reasons your rolls may not have turned out like you wanted them to.

  • The yeast was killed or is too old. Make sure the milk mixture is no hotter than 115 degrees F. Also check the expiration date. If it is past the expiration date, do NOT use it. Also make sure it has been stored correctly- in a cool, dark place.
  • Dough didn’t rise enough. You want the dough to approximately double during the rising times. Use the rising time as an estimate. It might take longer.
  • Adding too much flour. Only add enough flour so that the mixture is not too sticky to work with. Too much flour will make a dry dough which will result in dense, dry rolls.
The Best Yeast Rolls

Can I freeze these yeast rolls?

Yes. You can freeze them right after shaping them into balls. You will need to remove them from the freezer at least 2 hours before serving. They need to thaw and rise before baking.

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Tips for making the Best Yeast Rolls

  • If you don’t have a warm place for them to rise, no problem. It will just take longer for them to rise, but they will still rise.
  • Good warm places include the top of the dryer when it is on or in front of a sunny window. You can also heat the oven to 200 degrees and then turn it off. Place the dough in the oven with the door cracked open.

This recipe makes a full 9×13-inch pan full of rolls. Perfect for a holiday meal. This is a classic yeast roll recipe you will turn to again and again.

  • Electric Stand Mixer- I love my Kitchenaid Mixer, It is a little bit of an investment but they are built to last. I recently got a new one ina beautiful light blue color. My last one was a wedding gift and it lasted well over 25 years!
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish- I have several of these and use them all the time.
The Best Yeast Rolls

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The Best Yeast Rolls

4.81 from 146 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 20 rolls
These Yeast Rolls are so pillowy soft with just the right amount of sweetness.
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup water (105 to 115 degrees)
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, may need a little more

Instructions 

  • Place milk in a small saucepan and bring it just to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and stir in sugar, butter, and salt. Let cool to lukewarm. (You don’t want it hotter than 115 degrees.)
  • Mix together warm water and yeast. I do this right in the glass measuring cup that I measure the water in. Let sit a few minutes.
  • Pour yeast mixture into the mixing bowl for your electric mixer. Add milk mixture, eggs, and 2 cups of flour. Beat with paddle attachment until mixed. 
  • Beat in remaining 2 1/2 cups flour gradually. There is a chance you will need a little less than 4 1/2 cups of flour.
  • Next knead the dough. You can use the dough hook and the electric mixer. Beat with speed set to 2 for about 7 minutes.
    Or you can knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes. 
    I like to use the dough hook for about 5 minutes and then knead by hand for a few minutes.
  • Place dough in a buttered bowl. Turn the dough ball so it gets greased with butter on all sides. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
  • Punch dough down. Divide dough into balls of about 2 to 3 tablespoons each. Place in a greased 9×13-inch pan. I do 5 rows with 4 in each roll. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
  • About 10 minutes before rolls are ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Brush tops of rolls with butter and serve.

Video

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Source: Fleischmann’s

Best Yeast Rolls

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250 Comments

  1. Cindy says:

    Followed directions, easy peasy, came out perfect and delicious.

  2. Tom B says:

    Thanksgiving day modification…take half a stick of the butter from this recipe and saute 1/2 cup green onion/shallots along with a Tbsp of Herbs de Provence and 1/2 Tbsp of rubbed sage. When the onions are translucent, take off the heat and add back into the recipe when you add the other butter. It’s like a stuffing flavored roll. You can throw a little bit of the green onion on top of the proofed pre-bake rolls too, for pretty presentation.

  3. Kayla says:

    Does a double batch have to rise twice as long?

    1. mona lisa says:

      Yes and each roll in a DOUBLE batch has twice as many calories. ๐Ÿ˜

    2. Meredith says:

      No, a double batch would rise the same amount of time as a single batch.

  4. Michelle says:

    I’m trying it now! It was east to put together, but in the past my bread attempts have all been fails. It is my only baking sadness. Bread eludes me. Hopefully I will have success this time.

  5. Deb says:

    Turned out perfect. Soft, well risen with a beautifully browned top. Only change I made is I melted the butter in the milk on the stove and I weighed my flour instead of going by volume using the conversion table at TraditionalOven.com. Will be making for Thanksgiving this year.

  6. Fred says:

    My yeast rolls came out just a little heavy in my openion, did I not let them rise enough?

  7. Diane N says:

    May these roll be made, formed, refrigerated overnight and then baked in the am?
    If so what changes would you suggest? FYI the recipe sounds delicious!

    1. Alison McPherson says:

      I did this for Thanksgiving and they came out perfect.

  8. Samantha says:

    Iโ€™m not sure what happened but I made these and they did not rise. Iโ€™m very disappointed in myself. I think something happened with my yeast.

  9. James Bittle says:

    ive made these rolls they are out of this world but my wife needs to know the calorie content if anyone knows.

    1. John B. says:

      153 cals per roll if you use the recipe as written and make 20 rolls. It’s 3072 cals total in the dough so divide that by the total number you made.

  10. James Bittle says:

    what are the calaries ijn these rolls please