Description
These Honey Yeast Rolls are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweetened with honey, perfect as a comforting side or snack. Made with simple ingredients and a straightforward method, they feature a golden crust brushed with honey butter for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Yeast Mixture
- 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110-115° F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)
Dough
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into cubes)
Topping
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Place the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl if mixing by hand. Add granulated sugar and sprinkle yeast over the milk. Whisk gently to combine and let sit for 10 minutes until the yeast foams and bubbles.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add honey, salt, and the room temperature egg to the yeast mixture. Mix gently until combined.
- Mix Dough: Add 3 ¾ cups of flour to the bowl. Use the paddle attachment on low speed to incorporate most of the flour. Add butter cubes and continue mixing on low speed until butter is incorporated.
- Knead Dough: Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky. Add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky but keep it slightly sticky for light rolls.
- First Rise: Transfer dough to a large lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 13x9-inch rectangular baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Shape Rolls: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times by hand. Cut dough into 24 equal pieces by first dividing into 3 pieces, then cutting each into 8 pieces. Shape each into a ball and place evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes until puffed.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F during the second rise.
- Bake Rolls: Uncover the rolls and bake for 18 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Brush with Honey Butter: In a small bowl, whisk melted butter and honey together. Brush this mixture over the warm rolls before serving.
Notes
- Use warm milk around 110-115° F to activate yeast properly without killing it.
- The dough should be slightly sticky for soft rolls; avoid adding too much flour which makes rolls dense.
- Room temperature egg helps with even mixing and dough texture.
- Letting the rolls rise twice ensures a fluffy texture.
- Brush rolls with honey butter while warm for a shiny, delicious finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 137 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
