Honey Butter Dinner Rolls are soft, pillowy rolls with a hint of sweetness. They are the perfect bread course for any main dish, especially holiday dinners.
I first made these rolls many, many years ago when we lived in Chicago and didn't have kids yet. I never got around to posting the recipe.
We really liked them, and they've been in the back of my mind ever since.
I've recently remade them incorporating some tweaks Annie made to the recipe. These rolls reminded my girls of Thanksgiving, and they said I need to make them again soon.
Not only does the dough have honey in it, but the rolls are brushed with a honey butter before baking. The honey butter seeps around the rolls and creates an almost caramelized bottom on the rolls.
Prepare the Dough
In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast and the warm water. Add the honey, oil, salt and egg and mix well.
Add 3 cups of bread flour until the dough forms a sticky mass. Add the other ½ to 1 cup of flour by the spoonful until incorporated.
Switch to the dough hook and turn the mixer to low to knead the dough for about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning once to coat.
Cover the bowl with a damp towel and allow the dough to double in size, about 2 hours.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 30 seconds. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
Punch the dough down and divide into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place in a round dish evenly spaced. Cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
Bake the Rolls
Mix together the melted butter and honey. Using a basting brush, evenly brush the honey butter over the surface of the rolls.
Allow the excess to run off the sides and between the rolls.
Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until golden. Cover and continue baking until the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 190°F.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these rolls warm with some salted butter, Honey Cinnamon Butter or Garlic Herb Butter.
Gluten Free Option
I haven't tried this myself, but King Arthur makes a gluten free bread flour that might work in this recipe.
📖 Recipe
Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2¼ teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 3½-4 cups bread flour
For the Honey Butter
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast and warm water.2¼ teaspoon instant yeast, 1 cup warm water
- Add the honey, oil, salt and egg and mix well.¼ cup honey, 3 tablespoons canola oil, 1¼ teaspoons salt, 1 egg
- Add 3 cups of the flour and mix until the dough comes together in a sticky mass.
- With the mixer on low, add the remaining ½ to 1 cup flour by the spoonful until it is incorporated into the dough.
- Switch to the dough hook and continue kneading on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball and transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat.
- Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size, about 2 hours.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 30 seconds. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and divide into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place into a round, lightly greased baking dish. Space the rolls evenly.
- Cover and let the rolls rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Bake the Rolls
- Mix together the melted butter and honey. Using a basting brush, brush the honey butter evenly over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons honey
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until browned on top then cover with foil and continue baking until the internal temperature reaches 190°F, about 10 more minutes.
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