Nothing beats the comforting aroma and tender crumb of freshly baked rolls straight from the oven. This Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is my go-to when I want a slightly sweet, pillowy bread that pairs perfectly with every meal or even just a pat of butter for a cozy snack.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve baked these rolls for family dinners or casual get-togethers. There’s just something so warm and inviting about honey-glazed, soft yeast rolls that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Plus, they’re simpler to make than you might think!
- Perfect soft texture: The dough is lightly sticky, which means you’ll get those fluffy, tender rolls every time.
- Honey sweetness: The honey adds a gentle, natural sweetness that balances beautifully with the buttery finish.
- Simple ingredients: You probably have everything you need already in your pantry and fridge.
- Family favorite: These rolls disappear fast at my table—kids and adults alike just can’t resist.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is carefully chosen to create the right balance of flavor and texture. The combination of yeast, honey, and butter makes these rolls irresistibly soft and fragrant while keeping preparation straightforward.
- Warm milk: Essential for activating the yeast. Make sure it’s warm (110-115°F) — too hot and you’ll kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate properly.
- Granulated sugar: Provides food for the yeast and a touch of sweetness.
- Active dry yeast: Gives the rolls their rise and fluffy texture. Fresh yeast or instant yeast can work too, but I’ve always stuck with active dry for reliability.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps keep the rolls moist.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Egg: Enriches the dough with a tender crumb and beautiful golden color.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough. You might need a little extra to adjust the dough’s stickiness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps tenderize the dough.
- Melted butter & honey (for brushing): The finishing touch for soft, shiny, and slightly sweet rolls fresh out of the oven.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste or dietary needs. I often switch up the honey for maple syrup or melty browned butter for a deeper flavor.
- Variation: I once added a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough for a warm twist during the holidays, and it was a hit — subtle but delicious.
- Dietary modification: You can swap out all-purpose flour for a half whole wheat mix if you want a heartier roll, just keep in mind it’ll be a bit denser.
- Make it vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg and use a plant-based butter substitute to make these dairy-free and egg-free.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast
Start by warming your milk to about 110-115°F — not too hot, or you'll kill the yeast! Pour it into your mixer bowl, sprinkle sugar and active dry yeast over the top, then give it a gentle whisk. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until you see bubbles or foam. That means your yeast is alive and kicking, ready to work its magic.
Step 2: Mix In the Sweetness and Salt
Once your yeast is foaming, add honey, salt, and the room temperature egg. I like to mix gently at this stage, just enough to combine. This creates a lovely, smooth base before we start adding flour.
Step 3: Flour and Butter Join the Party
Add 3 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour and mix on low with the paddle attachment until mostly incorporated. Then, add the butter cubes one by one, continuing to mix gently. Butter is the secret to softness here, but adding it too soon or at too high speed can make it harder to incorporate, so take it slow.
Step 4: Knead Until Just Right
Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky — don’t be tempted to add too much flour or you’ll end up with dense rolls. When you poke it, it should stick just a little bit to your finger, but still be workable. This texture is exactly what creates fluffy rolls.
Step 5: First Rise – Let It Double
Transfer your dough to a lightly oiled large bowl and turn it once to coat the surface. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. I like to put mine near a sunny window or even inside a turned-off oven with the light on.
Step 6: Shape Your Rolls
Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish and transfer the dough to a floured surface. Gently knead it a few times, then divide into 24 equal pieces — I find cutting into thirds and then into eighths each works perfectly. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them snugly in the greased pan.
Step 7: Final Rise
Cover the rolls again and let them rise for 30 minutes. They’ll puff up nicely, ready to bake, giving you the soft texture we're after.
Step 8: Bake & Glaze
Preheat your oven to 400°F while the rolls are rising. Bake the rolls uncovered for 16-20 minutes until golden brown. I usually pull mine out right around 17 minutes — keep an eye so they don’t overbake. Then, brush the tops right away with melted butter mixed with honey for a shiny, irresistible glaze.
Top Tip
This Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is one I’ve perfected through trial and error, so here are some tips from my kitchen to yours to help you nail these rolls every time.
- Milk temperature matters: Always check the milk temperature before adding yeast – too hot kills the yeast, too cool won’t activate it. I use a digital thermometer, it’s a game changer.
- Don’t over-flour the dough: It’s tempting to add flour when the dough is sticky, but go easy—too much flour makes the rolls dense. The little stickiness is what keeps them so soft.
- Use room temperature ingredients: The egg and butter incorporate easier when not cold, which helps the dough stay smooth and easy to work with.
- Brush warm with honey butter: Don’t skip the glaze—it seals in moisture and adds a subtle sweetness that takes these rolls over the top.
How to Serve Soft Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with just the honey butter glaze, but freshly chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme sprinkled on top right after baking add a lovely aroma and a subtle savory note. A pinch of flaky sea salt works wonders too for contrast.
Side Dishes
These rolls are fantastic alongside hearty soups, stews, or roasted chicken dinners. One of my favorite combos is with a big bowl of creamy tomato soup and a fresh green salad for a cozy lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or special occasions, I arrange these rolls in a wreath shape on a baking sheet, then add garlands of fresh herbs and edible flowers after baking. It makes for such an inviting centerpiece on the table and guests love pulling apart soft warm rolls from the ring.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for about 2 days, although I find they’re best fresh. If they start to lose their softness, a quick reheat helps.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. I let them cool completely, then freeze in a zip-top bag with the air pressed out. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven. They’re perfect for making ahead of busy gatherings.
Reheating
I reheat rolls wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10 minutes to keep them soft and warm. Brushing with a little melted butter afterward brings back that freshly baked feeling. Microwave works in a pinch but can dry them out if overdone.
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