Garlic Butter Rolls

Let me tell you something – whenever I bake these garlic butter dinner rolls, the smell that fills my house has my stomach growling every time!

These garlic dinner rolls have the most beautiful golden brown tops yet soft and fluffy insides, they literally melt in your mouth. Very similar to my classic dinner rolls from my cookbook, Bake Until Golden Brown.

You brush the tops of the rolls with a garlic herb butter sauce and it take already perfect fluffy dinner rolls to the next level!! 

This recipe is all about creating the fluffiest rolls with a rich garlic flavor, and trust me—you won’t want to go back to store-bought rolls after this. The best part? No fancy ingredients required!

This recipe is perfect for holiday meals (Cinnamon rolls for christmas breakfast and these buttery dinner rolls for Christmas dinner), Sunday dinners, or even a mid-week treat, they’ll quickly become a favorite at your table. You’ll never get store-bought dinner rolls again! 

(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card) 

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of our dough, all-purpose flour creates the structure needed for soft dinner rolls without making them too dense.
• Whole milk: adds richness and a subtle sweetness to bread, enhancing its flavor and giving the crumb a tender, soft texture. The fats and proteins in the milk also help create a golden, more evenly browned crust.
• Active Dry Yeast: This is what helps the dough rise, creating those air pockets that make the rolls fluffy and soft. A warm environment during the rise time is crucial for getting the best results.
• Garlic Herb Butter: This isn’t just a topping; it’s the soul of these rolls. Brushing the tops of the rolls with a mixture of butter, fresh garlic, and parsley adds richness and a savory flavor that compliments the lightness of the bread dough perfectly. Kinda makes them taste like garlic bread!
• Egg and Egg Yolk: Adding an eggs and egg yolk to the dough brings moisture and a soft texture, helping the dough achieve that smooth ball shape while mixing.
• Seasonings – we’re adding garlic powder and onion powder to the dough to give it some extra flavor!

How to make Garlic Butter Rolls

Prep the Dough and Garlic Butter Sauce

Step 1: Combine milk, active dry yeast, and 1 tsp sugar in a small bowl. Whisk together and allow the yeast to bloom, about 5-10 minutes. Mixture should be bubbly and frothy when ready. Once frothy, add egg and egg yolks and whisk together. 

Step 2: Add flour, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, kosher salt, and remaining sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitter with the dough hook attachment. Pour in the yeast mixture and being to mix on medium low speed until the dough begins to form. Continue to mix for 2-3 minutes, then begin adding room temperature butter (the dough may break apart but it will come back together). Once added, continue to mix for 3-5 minutes, until the dough is smooth.

Step 3:  Place dough into a well oiled boil and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the dough is doubled in size.

Step 4: While the rolls are rising, prepare the garlic butter topping. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add garlic. Cook the garlic in the butter for 2 minutes, remove from heat and stir in parsley. Pour into a small bowl.

Shape the Rolls and Bake

Step 5: Punch the dough down and place onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into 12 equally dough balls (16 pieces if you prefer smaller rolls). Spray a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Roll each piece into ball and place into the pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow the rolls to rise again until puffy, about 25-40 minutes. 

Step 6: About 20 minutes into the second rise, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once the rolls are puffy, use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining egg whites. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tops of the rolls are golden brown. Brush the tops of the rolls with the garlic butter mixture. Top with a little flaky sea salt too 🙂

Tips for the Fluffiest, Most Irresistible Homemade Dinner Rolls

If you’re looking to make the fluffiest garlic butter rolls, there are a few key tips to keep in mind.

• Firstly, make sure your yeast is fresh and active. Expired yeast can keep the dough from rising properly. A warm environment for the dough rise is essential, so if your kitchen is chilly, try placing the dough in a slightly warmed oven or near a sunny window.
• Measure ingredients accurately: Weigh your flour or spoon it into your measuring cup, then level it off. Too much flour can make your rolls dense. Using a kitchen scale is key!
• Let it rise fully: Allow the dough to double in size during the first rise and the shaped rolls to puff up during the second rise. Patience pays off!

How to Serve

Ok, I’m guilty of literally pulling these out of the pan and eating them by themselves. If you’re a civilized person unlike me, you’ll want to eat them with something. LOL These are excellent to pair with any holiday meal or sunday dinner.

I serve these with hearty meals like heirloom tomato soup anr roasted red pepper and gouda soup. In addition, these rolls are exceptional with my Mississippi Pot Roast and Oven Baked Chuck Roast. Sopping up the gravy with these rolls is just beyond delicious!

Don’t forget about pasta dishes like creamy salmon pasta and of course, salad like a cobb salad. So so good!

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