Classic Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls are an essential but often overlooked component of the Thanksgiving menu. They might not be the most exciting…but wouldn’t everyone miss them if they weren’t there? Make sure everyone at the table is happy with this Classic Dinner Roll recipe. It’s super fast, it’s easy, and best of all – you can use them to make leftover turkey sandwiches the next day!  Member’s Mark™ Sea Salt is the perfect accompaniment to these pillowy, buttery, scrumptious rolls!

How to Make Classic Dinner Rolls Without a Stand Mixer

1. Prepare your surface. Lightly flour a clean countertop or large cutting board. Avoid using too much flour, which can make dinner rolls dense.

2. Transfer the dough. Place your mixed dough onto the lightly floured surface. It may feel slightly sticky at first.

3. Push the dough. Use the heel of your dominant hand to push the dough away from you, stretching it slightly.

4. Fold it over. Fold the stretched portion back toward the center of the dough.

5. Rotate and repeat. Turn the dough about a quarter turn and repeat the push-and-fold motion.

6. Continue kneading. Work the dough for approximately 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and less sticky.

   How to tell when dinner roll dough is properly kneaded

   Look for these signs that your dough is ready:

   • Smooth texture: The dough should look more uniform and less rough or shaggy.

   • Elasticity: When gently pressed with a finger, the dough should slowly spring back.

   • Less stickiness: The dough should feel tacky but shouldn’t leave large amounts of dough stuck to your hands.

   • Windowpane test: Stretch a small piece of dough between your fingers. It should stretch thin enough to let light through before tearing.

   Tips for easier hand-kneading

   • Lightly oil your hands if the dough is sticky rather than adding lots of flour.

   • Use a dough scraper to gather dough from the countertop.

   • Don’t press too hard. Let the weight of your hands do most of the work.

   • If the dough becomes difficult to handle, let it rest for 5–10 minutes before continuing.

   • Knead on an unfloured or minimally floured surface when possible to help the dough grip the counter.

   Recipe tip: Dinner roll dough should be soft and slightly tacky, not stiff. One of the biggest mistakes when kneading by hand is adding too much flour to prevent sticking. A slightly sticky dough generally produces softer, fluffier dinner rolls.

Classic Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls are an essential but often overlooked component of the Thanksgiving menu. They might not be the most exciting...but wouldn't everyone miss them if they weren't there? Make sure everyone at the table is happy with this Classic Dinner Roll recipe. It's super fast, it's easy, and best of all - you can use them to make leftover turkey sandwiches the next day!

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Water
• 2 tbsp Melted butter
• ½ cup Milk
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Active dry yeast
• 3½-4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Sea Salt
• Extra melted butter for brushing on top

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Instructions

 

• Heat the oven to 400°F.  Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together the water and melted butter, then add in the milk and honey. Stir until combined and the temperature reaches 110°F.
• Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast evenly on top, stir to combine, and let the yeast activate for 5 minutes (it should appear foamy).
• Add 3½ cups of flour and Member's Mark™ Sea Salt to the stand mixer.
• Use the dough-hook of the stand mixer on medium-low speed until the wet and dry ingredients are combined.  If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add in ¼ cup more flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is only slightly sticky to the touch.  (Do not use more than 4 cups of flour total.)  
• Continue mixing on low speed for 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth. Form the dough into a ball, and transfer it to a greased bowl.
• Cover the bowl with a damp towel or paper towel, and let it rise briefly for 15 minutes.
• Gently punch the dough down and divide into 15 equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a ball. Pace the dough balls in the greased baking dish.  Cover the dish again with a damp towel or paper towel and let the dough balls rise for an additional 15-20 minutes.
• Uncover the baking dish. Place it in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown on top and cooked through.
• Transfer the baking dish to a wire cooling rack and brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter. Add an extra pinch of sea salt, if desired.

Course: Side Dish

Keyword: dinner roll, side, thanksgiving