cinderellasapron 
Today we are making a basic dinner roll dough and transforming it into 3 different kinds of rolls. They are great to have on hand all year, but especially during the holidays. They freeze beautifully, so you can always have fresh rolls on hand. We will be making Sea Salt Dinner Rolls, Cheesy Crescent Rolls, and Herb Pull Apart Rolls.
To serve the dinner rolls once frozen, thaw them to room temperature, and warm in the oven for just a few minutes before serving!
Basic Dinner Roll Dough
This is the basic dough that can be transformed into lots of different rolls!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 4-4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 6 Tablespoons butter, softened and cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Heat the milk and water to 110 degrees. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Sprinkle the yeast on top along with the sugar and 1 cup flour. Lightly mix until just combined (it will be lumpy).
- Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly.
- Add in the butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Use the dough hook attachment to mix for about 3 minutes on medium speed, or until smooth and combined.
- Mix in the eggs, scraping the bowl in between.
- Mix in a remaining 1 to 1 1/4 cups flour, along with any mix ins used in the following recipes. Turn to medium speed and mix about 4 minutes, or until a soft ball is formed.
- Grease a large bowl and add the dough, turning to coat and form a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Now, choose on of the following recipes to continue.
Sea Salt Dinner Rolls
These classic dinner rolls are tender, flaky, and pair beautifully with whatever you're serving!
Ingredients
- 1 batch basic dinner roll dough
- 4 Tablespoons melted butter, divided
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Once the basic dinner roll dough is doubled in size, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half.
- Pat each dough into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut each rectangle into 12 small squares.
- Roll each of the squares into a ball, and place on a parchment lined sheet pan.
- Cover the sheet pan with plastic wrap, and let rise about 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.
- Using 2 Tbsp. of the melted butter, brush on the tops of the rolls. Using shears, cut an X into the top of each roll, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until golden brown, switching and rotating pans half way.
- Brush with remaining butter, and move to a wire rack to cool.
Cheesy Crescent Rolls
These rolls are packed full of gooey, melty cheese, and are tender, flaky, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 batch basic dinner roll dough
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- poppy seeds and salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- When making the basic dinner roll dough, stir in the parmesan cheese with final cup of flour. Allow to rise according to the recipe.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide in half.
- Roll each half into a 12 inch circle. Brush with egg, and sprinkle on 1 cup of gruyere on each circle. Press lightly to make the cheese stick.
- Cut each circle into 12 triangles. Roll them up starting with the long end to form a crescent shape.
- Place on parchment lined baking sheets, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise an additional 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.
- Brush the rolls with remaining beaten egg, and sprinkle with poppy seeds and salt.
- Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown, switching and rotating pans half way. Move to wire racks to cool.
Herb Pull Apart Rolls
These rolls have flaky, pull apart layers and are studded with beautiful, fresh herbs to really compliment any dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 batch basic dinner roll dough
- 4 Tablespoons fresh herbs (I like using parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme)
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted and divided
Instructions
- When making the basic dinner roll dough, mix in the herbs with the remaining cup of flour, and let rise according to recipe directions.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide the dough in half.
- Pat the dough into 10 inch squares. Cut each square into 8 strips.
- Brush some of the melted butter on top of each strip. Stack 4 strips on top of each other, pressing down slightly to make even.
- Cut the stack into 6 equal rolls, and place in a greased muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.
- Brush rolls with more melted butter, and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown, switching and rotating pans half way.
- Brush with remaining 2 Tbsp. of butter, and move to a wire rack to cool.
