There’s something magical about pulling warm, golden rolls fresh from the oven, especially when they’ve got that perfect sweet hint of honey. This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is exactly the kind of bread that turns any meal into a celebration—soft, fluffy, and kissed with honey butter right after baking.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I treasure this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe because it’s one of those recipes I rely on when I want to impress without stressing. The rolls come out tender and fluffy every time, with just the right balance of sweetness from the honey. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to make!
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: The shredded butter folded into the dough creates a light, pillowy crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Subtle Honey Sweetness: Honey adds a natural sweetness that enhances the flavor without overpowering the rolls.
- Easy to Follow Steps: Whether you have a stand mixer or just your hands, the recipe walks you through patiently.
- Perfect Bread for Any Occasion: These rolls pair beautifully with anything from weekday dinners to holiday feasts.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe uses ingredients that work harmoniously to give you that tender crumb, flavorful sweetness, and golden crust you crave. Knowing why each ingredient does its job helps you tweak or troubleshoot on the fly.
- Warm Milk: The warm temperature activates the yeast without killing it, helping the dough rise perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast initially and adds a subtle hint of sweetness.
- Active Dry Yeast: The magic starter that makes your rolls rise and become fluffy.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and keeps the rolls tender and moist.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten for good texture.
- Egg: Enriches the dough, giving it structure and that lovely golden color.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that provides structure. Add just enough to get the dough workable but not dry.
- Unsalted Butter: Incorporated into the dough for richness and soft texture, plus melted butter brushed on top for flavor and shine.
Make It Your Way
I love making these Honey Yeast Rolls with a little extra tweak now and then. For example, on crisp fall evenings, I add a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy note. You can easily tailor these rolls to suit your mood or meal.
- Variation: My favorite is adding a teaspoon of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into the dough when I serve them with soups or roasts. It adds a subtle savory depth that balances the honey sweetness beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Activating the Yeast
Start by warming the milk to about 110-115°F — warm but not hot enough to kill the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the milk and whisk gently. When you see those lovely bubbles and foam forming after 5-10 minutes, you’ll know your yeast is alive and ready to work wonders.
Step 2: Building Your Dough
Next, add honey, salt, and that room temperature egg into the milk mixture and mix gently – this keeps the yeast happy. Gradually stir in the flour, then add butter cubes. Using a stand mixer’s paddle attachment, incorporate everything on low speed until it looks like dough.
Step 3: Kneading to Perfection
Switch to a dough hook and knead on low for about 8 minutes until the dough’s smooth and just a tiny bit sticky to touch. Don’t be tempted to dump in a ton of extra flour if it’s overly sticky — instead, add little bits at a time to keep the rolls from getting dense. You want that gentle stickiness for fluffy rolls.
Step 4: The First Rise
Place your dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl and turn it around so it’s coated. Cover and let it rest in a warm spot for an hour or until doubled in size. This rest is where the magic – and flavor – begin developing, so be patient.
Step 5: Shaping the Rolls
Once risen, transfer the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead a few times. Cut into 24 equal pieces (it helps to first divide into thirds, then cut each piece into eighths). Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them snugly in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Let these rest covered for 30 minutes to puff up again.
Step 6: Baking and Brushing with Honey Butter
Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the rolls for 16-20 minutes, watching for golden brown tops. The smell at this point is irresistible! Right out of the oven, brush them with a warm mixture of melted butter and honey — this glaze takes the flavor and shine to the next level.
Top Tip
I’ve made these rolls countless times, and a few little tricks really make a difference. Knowing your dough’s texture and how to handle it is key, plus giving your rolls enough rising time helps keep them fluffy and light.
- Warm Milk Temperature: Too hot or cold milk can kill your yeast or slow rising, so keep it in the 110-115°F range for best results.
- Butter Incorporation: Adding cold, cubed butter during mixing ensures the fat is evenly distributed, giving soft layers.
- Don’t Over-Flour: It’s tempting to add a lot if the dough feels sticky, but too much flour means dense rolls. Add flour gradually and trust that slight stickiness.
- Second Rise is Vital: Don’t rush your second proof — this little rest before baking lets rolls relax and puff up just right.
How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with just a brush of honey butter, but sometimes I sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top right after brushing. That little salty-sweet contrast wakes up the flavor and adds a bit of texture crunch that feels fancy but easy.
Side Dishes
These rolls are my go-to side with hearty soups like butternut squash or a classic chicken stew. They also shine alongside barbecued ribs or a fresh green salad dressed with tangy vinaigrette — versatile little gems!
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays, I love arranging the rolls in a wreath shape or pulling them apart individually for guests to grab. Sometimes I top them with a sprinkle of edible flowers or fresh herbs for a stunning presentation that feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is dry, wrapping them loosely in foil helps retain moisture. These rolls stay soft and tasty enough to enjoy the next day!
Freezing
These freeze beautifully. I like to freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then sealed in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge or gently warm them up in the oven for that fresh-baked feel.
Reheating
Reheat rolls in a preheated 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, wrapped loosely in foil. This locks in moisture. A quick brush with honey butter after warming keeps them tasting just like fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast in equal amounts. Because instant yeast doesn’t require proofing, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients and skip the initial blooming in warm milk.
The dough should roughly double in size in the bowl and look visibly puffy. You can also gently press your finger into the dough—if the indentation springs back slowly but remains visible, it’s ready for the next step.
Absolutely! After shaping the rolls, you can cover and refrigerate them overnight. The second rise will happen slowly in the fridge. Just take them out about an hour before baking to bring to room temperature, then bake as usual.
They are best eaten within two days if stored at room temperature in an airtight container. However, you can extend their freshness by freezing them, which preserves their texture and flavor for up to 3 months.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe has been a kitchen staple for me because it’s both comforting and versatile. Every time I bake these, I’m reminded how something so simple as a soft, warm roll can bring everyone around the table. Try it yourself—you might just find these rolls becoming your family’s favorite!
Print
Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
- Yield: 24 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Honey Yeast Rolls are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweetened with honey. Perfectly golden brown and brushed with a delicious honey butter glaze, they make an ideal accompaniment to any meal or a delightful snack on their own.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110-115° F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into cubes)
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Place the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the granulated sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the milk. Whisk gently to combine and let sit for 10 minutes until the yeast starts to foam and bubble.
- Combine Ingredients: Add honey, salt, and the large egg to the yeast mixture. Mix gently to combine.
- Add Flour and Butter: Add 3 ¾ cups of flour and mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add butter cubes and continue mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Knead Dough: Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes until dough is smooth and slightly sticky. Add a tablespoon of flour at a time if too sticky, but avoid over-flouring.
- First Rise: Transfer dough to a lightly oiled large bowl, turn to coat all sides, cover with 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: Transfer dough to lightly floured surface, knead a few times, then cut into 24 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place in the prepared dish.
- Second Rise: Cover rolls and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: While rolls are rising, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bake Rolls: Uncover and bake the rolls for 18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Glaze Rolls: Remove rolls from oven. Whisk melted butter and honey together and brush over the warm rolls. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid adding too much flour during kneading to keep the rolls light and fluffy.
- Use room temperature egg and butter for better incorporation.
- Ensure milk is warmed to the correct temperature to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Brush with honey butter while rolls are still warm for a glossy, flavorful finish.
- These rolls freeze well; thaw and warm before serving.
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
Leave a Reply