Soft and fluffy dinner rolls are simply the best!
In hopes that you are looking for ways to cut down on store-bought dishes for your Thanksgiving, I bring you my very favorite recipe for Dinner Rolls. I made them countless times and they always come out perfect!
Fluffy, light, pillow-soft. That’s how we like them!

They are already on my written menu for our Thanksgiving dinner. I know that even doubling the recipe doesn’t guarantee that there will be enough of them. I am a bread lover and won’t pass any opportunity to make AND eat it.
Just a little secret, I made them as hamburger buns and they work perfectly! Just make them twice as big and brush with egg wash for crispier tops.
This recipe comes with a hand-full of tips to speed things up and make these really easy dinner rolls. Please, feel free to leave any questions. I am here to help. I hope you will make these rolls and enjoy a freshly baked homemade rolls this holiday season!
Will you please add homemade dinner rolls to your Thanksgiving menu? π

This recipe makes 20 rolls.
- 3 1/4 - 3 3/4 c all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast ( 1 pkg )
- 1 c milk
- 1/4 c granulated sugar
- 1/3 c unsalted butter , room temperature
- 1 beaten egg
- In a bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together 1 1/4 cup of flour and yeast.
- In a medium saucepan, heat together milk, sugar, butter and 3/4 tsp salt until warm ( not hot! ) and the butter is almost melted.
- Add the milk butter mixture along with eggs to flour yeast mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds.
- Increase the speed to high and beat 3 minutes.
- Decrease the speed to low and slowly add the rest of the flour.
- Transfer the dough onto your counter top, lightly dusted with flour. Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a large bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Turn the dough few times in the bowl to coat it with the oil. Cover with kitchen towel.
- Place in a warm and draft-free place. ( see notes for tip )
- Let rise until doubled in size, at least 1 hr.
- Punch the dough down. Transfer the dough onto counter top. Divide into two parts and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Line a 13"x9" baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking oil or grease with leftover butter wrapper.
- Shape the dough into 20 balls. Place in 4 rows of 5 in the prepared pan, making sure to leave enough space between them to rise. Cover and let rise in pan until doubled in size, about 20 to 30 minutes ( see notes for tip ). At this point, you can also cover the rolls and refrigerate overnight. ( see notes )
- Bake rolls in 375 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Immediately remove from pan onto wire rack.
- Cool completely or serve warm.
Notes: If you are having trouble finding a warm and draft-free place for the dough to rise, use this tip: in a microwave, heat up a cup of water to boiling in a microwave-safe cup. Place the covered bowl with dough in the microwave and shut the door. Let rise until it doubles in size. The steam from the boiled water will create the perfect environment for the dough to rise.
For the second rise, you can preheat your oven to 225 degrees and let the rolls rise there. When doubled in size, pull them out, increase the temperature and when it's ready - bake!
If you decide to make the rolls a day ahead and bake them the day you serve your dinner, refrigerate the covered pan overnight. Place it on the counter top while you preheat the oven, to let the dough come to room temperature.
For a crispier tops, brush the rolls with egg wash before baking. Simply whisk together 1 egg with 2 Tbsp of milk, cream or half-and-half and brush the tops.
I used salted butter successfully in this recipe. If you decide to give it a try, simply omit the additional 3/4 tsp of salt.
Minnie Gupta says
Those look so very delicious!!!!!! Fresh, and soft. Yummmm.
Oishii Treats says
uhh can you send me a basket of them for thanksgiving pleaseee π Yours look perfect!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Neshanne! π
Lizzy Do says
We are bread fiends, too! I think I’d have to make a double batch of these fluffy wonders, too!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! So glad you like them! Thanks, Lizzy!
Tutti Dolci says
I am all about dinner rolls! These look so fluffy and delish!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Laura!
Pam Thurow says
I have been looking for another dinner roll recipe, found two I like, but couldn’t decide on which one to try. Then I saw yours, a must try! Can’t wait to make this and like that it refrigerates well. Thanks for the recipe, Anna! They look delicious!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay!! Thank you so much, sweet Pam! Please, let me know what you think if you make them. xoxo
Curry and Comfort says
These rolls look like little pillows of heaven. I have never tried making my own rolls…. but now I want to. π
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oooh, you are in for a treat! π Thank you, Ramona!
Danielle says
Oh my gosh, these look delicious! Homemade rolls are must for Thanksgiving! I must try these. I too am a bread addict! : )
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! I am so glad you like them, Danielle! Thank you!
Ashley says
These dinner rolls really do look perfect!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Ashley!
Jessica_AKitchenAddiction says
I see that we both have homemade bread on our minds! π Love these! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Anna!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yes, we do π Thanks, Jessica!