Name: Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 2 h 18 min
Cuisine: American
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; 1 ¼ teaspoons salt; 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)

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.

The image shows a close-up of a basket filled with small golden brown dinner rolls that have a shiny, glazed top and soft, fluffy inside. Most rolls are whole, but a few are torn open to show their light, airy texture. The basket is on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred to keep the focus on the rolls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

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.

A white rectangular baking dish with a shiny light blue handle holds a set of 15 soft, golden-brown dinner rolls arranged in a 5 by 3 grid. Each roll has a slightly rounded top with a glossy, buttered surface showing different shades of brown from golden to darker caramel tones, making them look fresh and warm. The edges of each roll touch each other, forming soft seams between them. The dish sits on a white marbled surface giving a clean and simple background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of active dry yeast granules, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of salt crystals, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale yellow unsalted butter cubes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast in this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe?

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.

What’s the best way to know if my dough has risen enough?

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.

Can I make these rolls ahead and bake them later?

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.

How long do these Honey Yeast Rolls stay fresh?

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!