Soft Buttery Rolls

Featured in Ambitious Recipes Worth Your Time.

Fluffy, buttery rolls baked to a golden perfection. Made with pantry staples and great for any meal.
Sarah
Updated on Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:17:46 GMT
A tray of freshly baked, golden rolls sits next to a bowl of melted butter. Pin it
A tray of freshly baked, golden rolls sits next to a bowl of melted butter. | chefmiarecipes.com

The aroma filling my home when these buttery Crescent Rolls bake is absolutely incredible. I tweaked this recipe through many family Sunday meals, aiming for that ideal combo of airy, soft texture with rich, buttery taste. These days my family crowds around as they come out hot, barely waiting till they cool down before snatching one up. I'm thrilled to share this beloved family recipe that's now a staple at our holiday table.

Handcrafted Baking Wonders

Forget about those packaged options from the store. The real joy comes from shaping those perfect crescents and watching them puff up beautifully. The grandkids can't wait to help form them, and according to my daughter, they make unbeatable morning sandwiches the next day—though they rarely stick around that long. Nothing brings the family running like the scent of bread baking fresh.

A variety of baking ingredients, including eggs, flour, and milk, are arranged in bowls and containers on a light countertop. Pin it
A variety of baking ingredients, including eggs, flour, and milk, are arranged in bowls and containers on a light countertop. | chefmiarecipes.com

Essential Ingredients List

  • Warm Water: Just right to activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Quick Rise Yeast: One pack of these tiny powerhouses speeds everything up.
  • Sugar: A small amount helps our dough rise wonderfully.
  • Butter: Go for quality unsalted, perfectly softened.
  • Warm Milk: This makes our rolls incredibly soft.
  • Farm Fresh Eggs: Two large ones for wonderful color.
  • Salt: Just enough to enhance all flavors.
  • Flour: Have some extra nearby for your work surface.

Simple Baking Steps

Activate Your Yeast
Combine your warm water with yeast and watch it foam up. It's truly fascinating to see.
The Butter Mix
Beat your butter with sugar until light, then drop in those eggs one by one. Your mixer handles all the hard work.
Combine Ingredients
Add the warm milk, salt and foamy yeast mixture. Everything blends together nicely.
Add Your Flour
Mix in flour bit by bit until the dough feels just right—a tad sticky but easy to work with. Let your mixer's dough hook do its job.
Let It Grow
Put your dough somewhere cozy and warm to rise. Perfect time to grab yourself a drink.

Shaping Your Treats

Now for the best part. After your dough doubles, split it and roll each portion into a circle. Slicing those wedges always gets me thinking about wintertime fun. Roll each from the wide end toward the point, creating those classic crescent shapes. Arrange them on your baking sheet like tiny sleeping moons and let them puff up again until they look plump and ready.

A collage of four images showing the process of mixing ingredients for baking, including a hand mixer with batter, a hand adding flour, creamy batter in a bowl, and eggs being added to the mixture. Pin it
A collage of four images showing the process of mixing ingredients for baking, including a hand mixer with batter, a hand adding flour, creamy batter in a bowl, and eggs being added to the mixture. | chefmiarecipes.com

Spectacular Finish

When your oven reaches that ideal temperature, pop these beauties in and watch them transform. Your kitchen will fill with an amazing smell as they turn a beautiful golden color. That last touch of melted butter makes them glisten like gold. There's nothing better than taking that first warm bite right after they've cooled just enough.

Clever Time-Saving Tips

Want fresh bread but running tight on schedule? Make your dough earlier and store it in the fridge. Or even better, form your rolls, freeze them on a tray, then bag them up. Having ready-to-bake frozen rolls has gotten me through countless family dinners. Just remember to be patient when they're thawing and rising.

Keeping Them Tasty

Store your baked goodies in an airtight container if they somehow don't vanish immediately. A quick zap in the microwave or wrapped in foil in the oven brings back that just-baked goodness. Want my top trick? Add a tiny bit more butter after warming them up—it's absolutely divine.

Questions You Might Ask

  • Different From Croissants: These are easier to make and fluffier than traditional French ones.
  • Yeast Options: Standard active dry works fine too, you'll just need extra rising time.
  • Yeast Problems: The right warmth matters—aim for the feel of baby bathwater.
  • Super Soft Results: Don't make the dough too dry, a little stickiness creates perfect texture.
A tray of freshly baked, golden-brown croissants is accompanied by a small bowl of liquid and a brush on a marble surface. Pin it
A tray of freshly baked, golden-brown croissants is accompanied by a small bowl of liquid and a brush on a marble surface. | chefmiarecipes.com

Truly Special Moments

These rolls have shown up at countless family dinners, birthday parties, and holiday gatherings in my home. There's something truly magical about passing around warm homemade bread that brings everyone closer. Each time I show someone how to make this recipe, I'm giving more than just cooking instructions—I'm sharing joy, love and family tradition all wrapped up in those buttery, delicious layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What if my dough isn’t rising?

Make sure your yeast is active and the water is around 110°F. If it’s too hot, it kills the yeast, and if too cool, it won't activate.

→ Can I prepare these in advance?

Yes, refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise. Shape and let it rise again before baking.

→ How can I tell if they’re ready?

When baked, they’ll have a golden top and an internal temperature of 190-200°F. The bottoms should also have a light brown color.

→ Can they be frozen?

You can absolutely freeze them! Let them cool first, then store in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat before serving.

→ What if the dough feels sticky?

Add a little bit of flour at a time—just a tablespoon. The dough should be soft but not stick to the sides of the bowl.

Conclusion

These fluffy, buttery rolls are the perfect addition for any table. With their golden crust and soft texture, they're simple to make using basic ingredients and can be prepped in advance to save time.

Soft Buttery Rolls

Golden, soft and buttery dinner rolls made from scratch. Ideal for holidays or quick family meals.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
95 Minutes
Total Time
110 Minutes

Category: Weekend Projects

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/3 cup white sugar.
02 2 large eggs.
03 2 tablespoons instant yeast.
04 1 cup warm milk (around 110°F).
05 5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
06 2 teaspoons salt.
07 6 tablespoons softened butter.
08 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping.
09 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F).

Instructions

Step 01

Mix yeast into warm water and leave it for now.

Step 02

Beat sugar and butter together, then throw in eggs. Add salt, milk, and yeast mixture.

Step 03

Add in flour and knead for a good 5 minutes using a dough hook until it's soft.

Step 04

Coat a bowl with grease, pop the dough in, and let it sit 30-45 minutes to double in size.

Step 05

Split dough into pieces, flatten into circles, slice like a pizza, and roll wedges into crescent shapes.

Step 06

Let the rolls sit another 30-45 minutes till they look puffed up.

Step 07

Put into the oven at 350°F and bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops turn a nice golden shade.

Notes

  1. Stays fresh for 2-3 days at room temp.
  2. Warm it up with a microwave or oven.
  3. Ends up as around 3 pounds of dough.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer with both paddle and dough hook attachments.
  • Rolling pin.
  • Large sheet pan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Wheat.
  • Milk and butter (dairy).
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 157
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 23 g
  • Protein: 4 g