Easy Make Ahead Dinner Rolls
This is an easy make a head freezer dinner rolls recipe. Buttery, soft and convenient. It takes minutes to prepare and freeze. When you’re ready, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw/rise and bake. You can easily make this fit your schedule.
I worked on this recipe years ago before I had this website and forgotten that I had it out there, but haven’t posted the written recipe. With recent times and disruptions in food supply chains, I’ve been thinking a lot about the basics and making more from scratch. Also, thought about making dishes from ingredients readily available in the pantry and without having to visit the grocery stores.
I’ve made these rolls for my pulled chicken sliders and they worked out great. I love that I can prepare these over the weekend and take them out for them to thaw and rise while I work during the week and bake it right before dinner time. I can also throw the chicken in the slow cooker and have that going at the same time as well!
Notes:
• Milk – doesn’t matter whether it’s whole fat, low fat, fat free or even evaporated milk. I’ve seen bread recipes with milk powder and water and those work too.
• Kneading the dough, make sure you knead the dough until it’s soft to the touch but not tacky. You should be able to feel the difference between dough that is not been kneaded enough. It will feel tough and almost rubbery and bounces back. Dough that has kneaded enough will feel softer.
• Keep in mind that each machinery (stand mixer) and obviously your hands if your kneading by hands are different. That’s why it’s important to feel your dough rather than going purely by time.
Easy Make Ahead Dinner Rolls
Yields 8-12 rolls
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast or active dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup of milk (room temperature)
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (softened)
• In mixer bowl with flour, add yeast, sugar and salt. Use hook attachment and mix dry ingredients. Add butter and milk. Turn mixer on low and allow to knead for 3-5 minutes. If kneading by hand, knead for 5-8 minutes. Put some elbow grease in it. The dough will be soft, but not sticky to the touch. Cut dough into 8-12 pieces (depending on the size preference) and roll into balls.
• Place on wax paper in freezer safe container and stick it in the freezer for about an hour to flash freeze. Store in freezer bag for up to three weeks.
• When ready to bake, place frozen rolls in greased pan. Let it thaw and rise for about two to three hours.
• Bake in oven, preheated to 375 degrees, for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown. Once cooled slightly, brush with a tablespoon of melted butter if desired.
