Experience the Perfect Side Dish: Sweet Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe
Indulge in the warmth and comfort of freshly baked sweet soft dinner rolls that are sure to become a staple at your dinner table. This recipe combines simple ingredients with a touch of sweetness to create a side dish that's as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. Let's dive into the step-by-step guide to crafting these delectable rolls.
Ingredients: Simple and Sweet
Before we begin, gather your ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing (optional)
- Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Sweet Soft Dinner Rolls
1. Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, combine the yeast, warm water, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is frothy. If the yeast doesn't activate, start over with new yeast.

2. Create the Dough
Add the cooled, melted butter, eggs, salt, and 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Place the balls, seam-side down, in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for another 45 minutes, or until puffed up.

4. Preheat the Oven
While the rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Bake the Rolls
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Brush this mixture evenly over the risen rolls. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a roll registers 190°F (88°C).
6. Finish and Serve
Remove the rolls from the oven and brush them with the melted butter (if using). Sprinkle with coarse sugar (if using) and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your sweet soft dinner rolls with your favorite main dish!
Nutritional Information
Here's a breakdown of the nutritional information per roll, based on 12 servings:
| Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Total Carbohydrate | Dietary Fiber | Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270 | 9g | 5g | 55mg | 360mg | 42g | 1g | 12g | 6g |