Description
These Garlic Butter Bread Rolls are soft, pillowy, and brushed with rich homemade garlic butter. Simple, forgiving dough + golden, buttery finish = the perfect side for weeknights, holidays, or cozy casseroles.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Bread Dough:
- 3½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (~110°F / 43°C)
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ tsp salt
- For the Garlic Butter Topping:
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar; stir to dissolve. Sprinkle in yeast and let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Make the dough: Stir in melted butter and egg. Gradually add flour and salt until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead: Knead 8–10 minutes by hand (or 5–6 minutes in a mixer with dough hook) until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- First rise: Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled.
- Shape rolls: Punch down. Divide into 12–15 equal portions; roll each into a smooth ball. Arrange in a greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Second rise: Cover and let rise 30–40 minutes, until puffy.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Garlic butter finish: Stir melted butter with minced garlic and parsley. Brush generously over hot rolls right out of the oven. Serve warm.
Notes
- Pro tips: Warm milk should be ~110°F—too hot can kill yeast. Use a room-temp egg for even mixing. Don’t overbake; pull when tops are light golden.
- Make ahead: Shape, then freeze dough balls on a tray. Thaw, rise, and bake. Or bake rolls, cool, and rewarm in foil at 325°F for 10–15 minutes.
- Storage: Room temp 2 days; fridge up to 5 days; freeze up to 2 months. Brush with more garlic butter after reheating to refresh flavor.
- Variations: Add mozzarella inside each dough ball for cheesy centers; mix rosemary or thyme into butter; add chili flakes for heat.
- DIY garlic butter (extra): ½ cup softened butter + 3 finely minced garlic cloves + 2 Tbsp chopped herbs + salt to taste; mix and refrigerate up to 1 week.
- Common mistakes: Skipping the second rise; using cold ingredients; brushing raw garlic on before baking (can burn); adding too much flour (dense rolls).
- Gluten-free/Vegan: Use a 1:1 GF flour (dough will be stickier; reduce knead). For vegan, use plant butter & milk; replace egg with flax “egg”.
- Prep Time: ≈30 minutes (active)
- Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
Keywords: Garlic butter bread rolls, dinner rolls, easy yeast rolls, garlic butter, holiday rolls, Thanksgiving rolls, soft rolls, buttery rolls