| Prep: 2 hours | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 198 | 3.5g | 1.5g | 33.3g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5.2g | 1.0g | 5.5g | 0.2g |
About Dinner Roll
There’s something timelessly comforting about a good dinner roll. Whether nestled alongside a robust Thanksgiving turkey or perched on a cozy family dinner table, the dinner roll is a humble, warm bread that invites butter, cheese, and conversation. Today, we spotlight the seemingly simple, yet delightfully complex essence of the Dinner Roll. Crafted with ingredients as familiar as warm milk and white sugar and as intriguing as a packet of active dry yeast, there’s more to this bread than meets the eye.
The Art of Baking a Dinner Roll
The Dinner Roll, like many breads, is equal parts science and art. The exactness of measurements going hand in hand with the flour dusted creativity that turns simple ingredients into fluffy, goldenly delicious bread. The yeast, a microscopic fungus, is activated with warm water – causing an atomic scale event of fermentation. The end result? Carbon dioxide and alcohol. Whilst the alcohol evaporates during baking, the carbon dioxide lingers, trapping itself within the dough and causing it to rise. It’s this process that gives the dinner roll its characteristic airy texture and crusty exterior.
Versatility Beyond the Supper Table
Despite its name, the Dinner Roll isn’t confined to the dinner table. Paired with butter and jam for breakfast, it’s a delightful way to kick-start the morning. Or perhaps as part of a deli sandwich for lunch, the lightly sweet dough and tender crust make it an ideal complement to both savory and sweet accompaniments.
The dinner roll, in its glorious simplicity, works well with a variety of dishes. It’s the loyal sidekick to hearty stews and soups, its absorbent nature perfect for soaking up those last drops of broth. They’re reminiscent of Parker House rolls, famous for their melt-in-your-mouth crust and fluffy crumb. Additionally, the dinner roll’s dough can be used as a base for more complex pastries or breads, like challah or brioche. You could even experiment with fillings and toppings, transforming ordinary dinner rolls into something more akin to artisanal bakery bread.
So here’s to the Dinner Roll – a reminder that even the simplest of breads can bring joy to our tables and warmth to our meals.
What You’ll Need
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 2 1/4 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt for topping
Method
Step One
Begin by warming up the milk to about 110 degrees F/45 degrees C. Then in a bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Step Two
To this mixture, add one beaten egg, the packet of active dry yeast, and warm water. Make sure you mix it gently yet thoroughly until the yeast is fully dissolved.
Step Three
Start adding the bread flour slowly to this liquid mixture, while continually stirring to combine. Keep adding and stirring until the dough starts to come together and leaves the sides of the bowl.
Step Four
On a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and knead it for a good 8-10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic. During this process, add in the softened unsalted butter, and continue kneading again until the butter is well incorporated into the dough.
Step Five
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
Step Six
Once the dough has risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into equal-sized parts and shape each into rolls. Place the rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let them rise for another 30 minutes or until they’ve expanded.
Step Seven
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Beat together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this mixture over the risen dinner rolls and sprinkle them with a little bit of salt for topping.
Step Eight
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade dinner rolls!
