Small Batch Dinner Rolls

A small batch of pillowy soft dinner rolls are perfect for dinner any night of the week.

With one child out of the house and another one with a much more active social life than mine, I don’t often have need to bake a bunch of rolls like I used to. I mean, I can always bake a regular batch and freeze the remainders, but nothing really beats a fresh-from-the-oven dinner roll. So its nice to be able to make a small batch for a random dinner on a Tuesday night and not have to worry about eating all the leftover rolls…which I will absolutely do.

These rolls are just as you would expect…pillowy soft on the inside and warm and golden on the outside. Enjoy!

Small Batch Dinner Rolls

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Prep Time 2 hours hrs

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
• 1 egg yolk
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour plus more for kneading
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• In a microwave or on the stove, warm milk until it is a bit warmer than body temperature (around 105-110 degrees…it should feel warm to the touch). Add in the sugar and yeast and mix to combine. Set aside for about five minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together melted, cooled butter and egg yolk.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add in yeast mixture along with butter and egg mixture and begin working together with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Dough will be VERY soft and sticky.
• Turn dough onto well-floured surface and knead for 7-10 minutes, or until dough becomes smooth, pliable and only slightly tacky, incorporating additional flour as you knead. After 7-10 minutes, you should be able to perform a "window pane" test. Stretch the dough, holding it up to a light, to see if you can see light coming through the dough.
• Place dough into greased bowl, cover and let rise for about one hour or until doubled
• Cut dough into four equal portions, shape into balls, pinching together at the bottom, and then roll in a circular motion, cupping your hand over the dough until you’ve formed a smooth ball.
• Set dough balls into greased, 6-inch pan (lined with parchment if desired), cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
• While dough is rising for the second time, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter if desired, and serve warm.