Homemade Dinner Rolls

This post may contain affiliate links, see my Privacy Policy.

Traditional Homemade Dinner Rolls with three shape variations

Holiday baking is in full swing in my house! I have been baking some of my favorites – Bow Tie Cookies, Peppermint Cookies, and Cranberry Bars. But not everything has been sweet. I’ve also been making Homemade Dinner Rolls. 

I made three batches for Thanksgiving dinner and then I decided to make these dinner rolls again on the day after Thanksgiving.

Usually when I make homemade dinner rolls, I shape the rolls into a nice rounded shape. This time I decided to make a few different variations. I still made the round classic dinner rolls, but I also made a cloverleaf dinner roll and a fan shaped dinner roll.

I used the same bread dough for all so the taste doesn’t change, just the shape.

To Make Classic Dinner Rolls

• Divide dough in half
• Work with one half at a time. Cut dough in half again. Keep halving dough until 8 portions are formed.
• Cup your hand around one portion. With dough on a counter top, make a circular motion until a round dough is formed.
• Set on a greased baking sheet 1/4 – 1/2 inch apart.
• Repeat with remaining dough.

To Make Cloverleaf Rolls

• Divide dough in half
• Work with one half at a time. Cut dough in half again. Keep halving dough until 8 portions are formed.
• Take one portion and divide it into thirds.
• Roll each third into a small ball.
• Place the three balls into one greased cup of a cupcake pan. The three balls form one roll.
• Repeat with remaining dough.

To Make Fan Shaped Rolls

• Divide dough in half.
• Work with one half at a time.
• Roll dough out into a rectangular shape approximately 6″ x 10″
• Use a pizza cutter to trim off uneven sides.
• Cut dough with pizza cutter into 2 inch squares.
• Stack 6 squares together and place in a greased cupcake pan. Place stacked squares one their sides.
• Repeat with remaining dough.

You could also make dinner rolls using other bread recipes including Oatmeal  Rolls and Sweet Potato Rolls. 

Don’t Forget to PIN for later.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or snap a picture and tag me on Instagram #beyondthechickencoop

5 from 6 votes

Print

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Prep Time

40 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Rise Time

2 hrs

Total Time

55 mins

 

A traditional dinner roll that's perfect for holiday and family dinners.

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: classic dinner rolls, Dinner Rolls, Homemade dinner rolls, how to shape dinner rolls, traditional dinner rolls

Servings: 16 rolls

Calories: 181 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup whole milk warmed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast or 1 packet
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour may need an additional 1/4 cup flour

Before Baking

• 1/4 cup butter melted

Instructions

Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine milk, sugar and yeast. Stir lightly and let sit for 5 minutes until mixture is bubbly.

2. Mix in butter, salt egg and 2 cups of flour. Add additional flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball. Add up to 1/4 more flour if needed.

3. Knead with stand mixer for 10 minutes or knead by hand. 

4. Place dough into a greased bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled, approximately 1 hour.

5. Gently punch dough down.  Divide dough in half and then each half into eighths. Shape dough into rolls.

6. Place rolls on a greased baking sheet.  Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

7. Just before baking brush the tops lightly with melted butter.

8. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. 

9. Optional - brush with melted butter when the rolls are finished baking.

10. Remove from baking sheet and let rolls cool on a baking rack. 

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 181 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 27mg9%

Sodium 207mg9%

Potassium 69mg2%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 215IU4%

Calcium 25mg3%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.