The Recipe: Soft and Golden Bread Rolls
Achieving that perfect golden brown color and delicate flavor is simpler than you think. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- For the Liquid Mixture (Blender)
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (approx. $105^{\circ}\text{F}$ / $40^{\circ}\text{C}$)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- For the Dry Ingredients
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups (500g to 560g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation: Step-by-Step
1. Activate the Yeast: Combine all the Liquid Mixture ingredients in a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds until completely smooth. This quick blending action perfectly emulsifies the liquids and wakes up the yeast. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
2. Form the Dough: Add the salt and 2 cups of the flour to the liquid mixture. Mix thoroughly until a smooth batter forms. Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing until a shaggy dough starts to come together.
3. Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. It should pass the “windowpane test” (stretching a small piece thin enough to see light through).
4. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation): Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Rolls: Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces (approximately 50g each). Roll each piece into a tight, smooth ball.
6. Second Rise (Proofing): Place the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Cover loosely and let them rise for another 30–45 minutes until they look visibly puffy.
7. Bake: Preheat your oven to $375^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($190^{\circ}\text{C}$). Brush the rolls with a little egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) for that gorgeous golden shine. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown. ✨
Tips for Supreme Softness
For the absolute fluffiest results, be sure your milk is warm enough to activate the yeast but not hot enough to kill it—maintaining a temperature between $100^{\circ}\text{F}$ and $110^{\circ}\text{F}$ is ideal. Additionally, avoid over-baking! The moment they achieve a perfect golden color, take them out. Allowing them to cool on a wire rack immediately prevents the bottoms from getting soggy. The moist heat from the oven is what gives these rolls their incredible tenderness, a characteristic that makes enriched doughs so popular across many cultures, from Japanese Milk Bread to classic Brioche. 🥐
Conclusion: Share the Warmth
Few things are as satisfying as pulling a fresh tray of these rolls out of the oven. The effort is minimal, but the reward—a cloud-like roll ready for your favorite topping—is enormous! Enjoy these beautiful, buttery rolls with your next meal or as a delightful snack.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy a warm, Homemade Soft Bread Roll—plain with butter, or stuffed with something savory? 🤔
