Name: Honey Butter Rolls
Prep time: 150 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 175 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup milk (heated to 115 °F (46 °C)); 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (or one 1/4 ounce envelope); 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted); 3 cups bread flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 tablespoon butter (melted); 1 teaspoon honey

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Honey butter rolls are light and fluffy and have the perfect amount of sweetness! Whether you’re enjoying them as a side dish, a breakfast treat, or a standalone indulgence, honey butter rolls are guaranteed to be a cozy side indulgence.

baked honey butter rolls in a cast iron skillet next to a small plate of honey

There’s two types of bakers. Yeast lovers and yeast dissenters. For the most part, I fall into the yeast dissenters category because I’m too much of a perfectionist to work with it and too black and white. I’m very type A so when they say the temperature of the water should be between 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit, I tend to freak out about this temperature and I’ll use a thermometer but then once it drops a bit in temperature, I’m like OMG IT’S NEVER GOING TO PROOF. Haha, thankfully, active dry yeast (instant yeast) makes it easier and ever since I started using it, I have been enjoying making yeasty goods more.

These soft, pillowy honey butter rolls are generously slathered with a combination of honey and butter, creating sweet and savory flavors that make them so enjoyable. With their golden-brown crust and irresistible aroma, these rolls are pure comfort and joy! Alright, are you ready to grab a plate, tear into a warm roll, and experience a buttery, honey-infused delight that will have you coming back for more?

Why You’ll Love This

Besides being pillowy soft and tender, here are a few more reasons why I love these sweet rolls:

Sweet and savory. These rolls have the perfect balance between sweet and savory as the honey and butter are together in every bite. The rolls offer a delightful contrast between the golden-brown crust and the soft, tender interior making each bite so irresistible.
Various ways to serve. Honey butter rolls can be as simple or dressed up as you want them to be so they can be enjoyed on various occasions. Whether you’re serving them as a comforting accompaniment to a hearty meal, a delightful addition to brunch, or simply as a delicious snack, these rolls are versatile and guaranteed to bring smiles to any table.
Homemade bread is always a win. Making your own dinner rolls allows you to experience the satisfaction and pride of creating homemade rolls! From kneading the dough and watching the rolls rise in the oven, the process is not only rewarding but also fills your kitchen with an enticing bakery-style aroma that will have everyone eagerly waiting for them to come out of the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make fluffy honey butter rolls. Make sure to scroll down to view the full recipe for exact measurements.

Milk
Yeast
Sugar
Butter
Bread flour
Salt
Egg
Honey

How To Make Honey Butter Rolls

Here is a general overview of the steps involved to make honey butter rolls. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Bloom the yeast. In a measuring cup, add warm milk, yeast and sugar. Stir gently with a spoon or knife, then let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly and poofy after 5 minutes. If not, discard and start over with fresh yeast.

dough mixture for honey butter rolls in a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook

Make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add melted butter, bread flour, salt, and eggs. Mix together with the paddle attachment until just combined then add the milk-yeast mixture. Switch to the dough hook attachment and continue to knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until dough forms a nice, smooth, and elastic ball.

round dough ball in a metal stand mixer bowl

round and smooth dough ball that has doubled in size in a metal stand mixer bowl

Let the dough rise. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl then Cover with plastic wrap and place in a dark, warm place for about an hour, or until dough has doubled in size.

dough quartered on a silicone pastry mat with a metal pastry cutter next to it

dough divided into three pieces on a pastry mat next to a pastry cutter

Form the rolls. After the dough has doubled in size, punch the dough down and divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Divide those 4 pieces into 3 equal pieces and form into balls and place into a 9-inch pie dish, about 1-inch apart from each other. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.

honey butter rolls rolled and placed into a greased cast iron skillet

brushing honey butter with a pastry brush on the tops of the honey butter rolls in the cast iron skillet

Brush on honey butter then bake! Mix together the ingredients for the honey butter then brush on top of each roll. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

pulling apart a honey butter roll to show the elasticity and fluffiness of the inside

Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations

Make sure to use a thermometer. Take care to not kill the yeast. If the milk is too hot, it’ll kill the yeast and if it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate. Using a thermometer ensures the perfect temperature every time!
Measure with accuracy. Baking is a science so accurate measuring is a must. A scale is perfect for this type of baking. Change the measurements below to Metric if you prefer to weigh your ingredients.
Make sure your yeast isn’t expired. Nothing is worse than expired yeast! Make sure to take a look at your expiration date on the package. Additionally, if the yeast doesn’t start to foam after 5 minutes, the yeast may be expired or dead.
Add in herbs for flavor. These rolls are a great base for flavor! While they’re delicious with the honey butter topping, fresh herbs really bring these rolls to life! Chopped fresh rosemary and thyme can give you a herbed-flavored dinner roll, or this savory garlic herb butter would be SO good.
Make it cheesy. Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top to give these rolls a parmesan-crusted dinner roll that is both sweet, salty, AND savory!

honey butter rolls stacked on a metal plate

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Allow rolls to cool to room temperature then place them into an airtight container or plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator for up to four days. They can also stay out on the counter at room temperature for up to two days.

To reheat, put in toaster oven and warm through or zap in the microwave.

The rolls freeze well too! Place rolls into a freezer-safe plastic bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, put in the toaster oven and warm through.

What to Serve with Honey Butter Rolls

These honey butter rolls are a great accompaniment to many of your main entrees! Here are some suggestions:

Additionally, if you are looking for a tasty spread for these warm honey butter rolls, you have to try this rosemary whipped honey butter!

Save Rate Print

5 from 1 vote

Honey Butter Rolls

By: Julie Chiou

Honey butter rolls are perfect for any dinner, dinner party, or holiday festivity. They’re so light and fluffy and have the perfect amount of sweetness!

Prep Time: 2 30

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 2 55

Servings: rolls

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ ¾ cup (177 ml) milk, heated to 115 °F (46 °C)
▢ 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast, or one 1/4 ounce envelope
▢ ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
▢ ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
▢ 3 cups (375 g) bread flour
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 2 eggs

For the tops of the rolls

▢ 1 ½ tablespoon (21 g) butter, melted
▢ 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

In a measuring cup, add warm milk, yeast and sugar. Stir gently with a spoon or knife, then let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly and poofy after 5 minutes. If it isn't, your yeast didn't proof. Dump it out and start over.
3/4 cup (177 ml) milk, 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add melted butter, bread flour, salt, and eggs. Mix together with the paddle attachment until just combined then add the milk-yeast mixture. Switch to the dough hook attachment and continue to knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a nice, smooth, and elastic ball.
1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, 3 cups (375 g) bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 eggs
Lightly grease a large bowl and gently flip the dough around to cover with grease. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a dark, warm place for about an hour, or until dough has doubled in size.
After the dough has doubled in size, punch the dough down and divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Divide those 4 pieces into 3 equal pieces and form into balls and place into a 9-inch pie dish, about 1-inch apart from each other. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Mix together the ingredients for the glaze and using a pastry brush, brush the glaze on top of each roll.
1 1/2 tablespoon (21 g) butter, 1 teaspoon honey
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll (60 grams), Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 223mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g

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This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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