Easy Sweet Dinner Rolls (Ready in 1 Hour)

Name: Easy Sweet Dinner Rolls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 1 packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons of fast acting or rapid rise yeast; 1 cup of warm water around 100 degrees F; 2 tablespoons of sugar or 2 tablespoons of honey; 2 ½ cups of unbleached flour; 1 tablespoon of olive oil.; 1 1/2-2 tablespoons melted butter; 1 tablespoon water; 1 tablespoon sugar

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These easy sweet dinner rolls are a family favorite and a forgiving dough for anyone new to baking bread. You only need about 20 minutes of active time to create wonderfully soft, fluffy, and buttery rolls. They are the ideal make-ahead side dish for a busy weeknight dinner or a holiday feast.

Ingredients for the Sweet Dinner Rolls

Rapid Rise Yeast This is the engine of the recipe. It provides the lift and fluffiness without the long rising times required by traditional yeast.
Sugar or Honey This serves two purposes. It feeds the yeast to help it activate, and it adds a subtle sweetness that complements the savory dough.
Warm Water (100°F) Water acts as the solvent that activates the yeast. The temperature is critical—warm enough to wake the yeast up, but not so hot that it hurts it.
Unbleached Flour This provides the structure and gluten strands that trap the air bubbles created by the yeast, giving the rolls their shape and chew.
Olive Oil Adding fat to the dough enriches the flavor and keeps the crumb tender and moist rather than dry.
Butter Topping Brushing melted butter and sugar on top encourages beautiful browning and adds a sticky, sweet finish that makes these rolls irresistible.

Why This Recipe Works

The Triple-Glaze Technique Most dinner roll recipes simply brush butter on at the end, but this recipe takes it a step further. You brush the sweet butter and sugar topping over the buns three separate times—before baking, halfway through, and right after they come out of the oven. This layering process allows the sugars to caramelize in the oven, creating a sticky, golden crust that is full of flavor.
Rapid Rise Yeast Means Less Waiting By using rapid rise (or fast-acting) yeast, you significantly shorten the time needed for the dough to rise without sacrificing texture. This simple swap turns what is often an all-day project into a recipe that is ready in under two hours, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
The Microwave Proofing Hack Yeast loves a warm and humid environment to do its best work. Using your microwave (turned off!) as a proofing box protects the dough from cold drafts and traps the necessary heat. This trick ensures a consistent rise even if your kitchen is chilly.
Even Baking Through Rotation Home ovens often have hot spots that can lead to uneven browning. This method instructs you to rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time. This small step guarantees that every roll comes out golden brown and delicious.
A Forgiving Dough for Beginners If you are new to baking with yeast, this is the recipe to start with. The dough is designed to be forgiving and requires only about 20 minutes of active effort. It takes the stress out of kneading and shaping, letting you focus on the fun of baking.

Making the Easy, Sweet, Soft, Dinner Rolls

Activate the Yeast Pour the warm water (aim for 100°F) into a large bowl or your stand mixer bowl. Add the sugar (or honey) and the yeast. Stir gently. Let this sit for about 5 minutes until you see the mixture becoming foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix the Dough Add the olive oil and the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead Knead the dough for 5 minutes using a dough hook or by hand on a surface. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but not overly sticky. Form it into a smooth ball.
First Rise Lightly coat the inside of a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. (Tip-- The microwave is a great draft-free spot, just do not turn it on!)
Shape the Rolls Punch the dough down gently and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Second Rise Cover the shaped rolls with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Let them rise for another 10 minutes while you preheat your oven to 400°F.
Make the Topping While the oven heats, melt the butter in a small bowl. Stir in the water and sugar until well combined.
Bake and Glaze Brush the rolls with the butter mixture. Bake for 8 minutes. Carefully remove the pan, brush with more topping, and rotate the pan 180 degrees. Return to the oven and bake for another 4–6 minutes until golden brown.
Serve Brush with any remaining topping and sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Serve warm.

Rolling the buns before baking

FAQ's:

Can I make these dinner rolls ahead of time?

Yes! This is a great make-ahead dough. You can prepare the dough, let it go through its first rise, and then shape the rolls. Place them on the baking sheet, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking.

Do I have to use rapid-rise yeast?

Rapid-rise yeast shortens the rise time, but you can use active dry yeast—just adjust for a slightly longer rise.

What kind of flour works best?

Unbleached all-purpose flour is standard, but you can experiment with bread flour or a mix of whole wheat for a different texture.

How do I know when the buns are done baking?

They should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Rotating the baking tray halfway through ensures even browning.

These rolls are the perfect side dish for my City Chicken Recipe or my Kale and Sauce sage Soup!

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