Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls – Perfect Holiday Side

Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls are the kind of comfort food that transforms an ordinary dinner into something truly special. Picture this: golden-brown rolls emerging from your oven, their tops glistening with honey butter and fragrant with fresh rosemary. The aroma alone will have your family gathering in the kitchen, asking when dinner will be ready. These aren’t just any dinner rolls – they’re soft, pillowy clouds of bread that perfectly balance the earthy warmth of rosemary with the sweet richness of honey butter.

I still remember the first time I made these rosemary honey butter dinner rolls recipe for a Sunday family dinner. My grandmother always said that the secret to bringing people together was through fresh-baked bread, and she was absolutely right. As these rolls baked, the entire house filled with an intoxicating blend of herbs and honey that had everyone lingering in the kitchen, stealing warm pieces before they even made it to the dinner table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy rosemary dinner rolls recipe strikes the perfect balance between impressive presentation and simple execution. Unlike complicated bread recipes that require multiple rises and fancy techniques, these homemade honey butter rolls come together with basic pantry ingredients and straightforward steps. The combination of fresh rosemary and honey creates a sophisticated flavor profile that elevates these from everyday dinner rolls to restaurant-quality bread.

What makes these soft fluffy dinner rolls truly special is their versatility. They’re equally at home alongside a casual weeknight pasta dinner or gracing your holiday table next to the turkey. The butter honey glazed rolls have a tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth, while the aromatic herbs add just enough complexity to keep things interesting. Explore more delicious dinner recipes here to complete your perfect meal.

Ingredients List

For the Dinner Rolls	Amount
Warm milk or barista style oat milk	1 cup
Dry instant yeast	1 1/2 tsp
Honey	1 tbsp
Bread flour, plus extra	2 3/4 cup
Kosher salt	2 tsp
Unsalted butter, melted and cooled	2 tbsp
Egg, beaten	1
Fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped	4 tsp

For the Honey Butter Sauce	Amount
Unsalted butter	2 tbsp
Honey	1/2 cup

For Finishing Touches	Amount
Flaky salt	To taste
Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, parsley, dill)	Optional
Pink peppercorns	Optional

Ready to expand your meal planning? Find more satisfying lunch ideas here that pair beautifully with leftover rolls the next day.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk with honey and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the surface and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls will have the perfect rise.

Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add the beaten egg, melted butter, and chopped rosemary to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together bread flour and kosher salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time.

Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls
Punch down the dough and divide into 7 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath. Place the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each roll.

Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the shaped rolls with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed and nearly doubled.

Step 7: Prepare Honey Butter
While rolls are rising, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk in honey until smooth. Set aside for brushing.

Step 8: Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush rolls with half the honey butter mixture and bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately brush with remaining honey butter. Sprinkle with flaky salt and optional fresh herbs.

Exact Timing to make Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

Step	Time Required	Total Elapsed Time
Yeast activation	10 minutes	10 minutes
Mixing and kneading	15 minutes	25 minutes
First rise	60 minutes	1 hour 25 minutes
Shaping rolls	10 minutes	1 hour 35 minutes
Second rise	45 minutes	2 hours 20 minutes
Baking	20 minutes	2 hours 40 minutes
Total Active Time	45 minutes
Total Recipe Time	2 hours 40 minutes

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Roll	% Daily Value
Calories	285	14%
Total Fat	6.2g	8%
Saturated Fat	3.8g	19%
Cholesterol	35mg	12%
Sodium	420mg	18%
Total Carbohydrates	52g	19%
Dietary Fiber	2.1g	8%
Total Sugars	12g	–
Added Sugars	8g	16%
Protein	8.5g	17%
Vitamin A	145 IU	3%
Calcium	85mg	6%
Iron	2.2mg	12%

Nutritional data based on USDA nutrient database. Values may vary depending on specific ingredients used. Each roll provides a good source of carbohydrates for energy and moderate protein content.

Healthier Alternatives

Original Ingredient	Healthier Swap	Benefits
Bread flour	Whole wheat pastry flour (50/50 blend)	Adds fiber, B vitamins, and minerals while maintaining texture
Honey	Pure maple syrup or date syrup	Lower glycemic index, contains antioxidants
Butter	Coconut oil or avocado oil	Provides healthy fats, reduces saturated fat content
Whole milk	Unsweetened almond or oat milk	Lower calories, suitable for dairy-free diets
Regular salt	Sea salt or himalayan pink salt	Contains trace minerals

When making healthier Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls, you can substitute up to half the bread flour with whole wheat flour without significantly affecting the texture. For gluten-free versions, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though the texture will be slightly denser. Reduce honey by 25% and add extra rosemary or herbs to enhance flavor without additional calories.

Explore more delicious desserts here to round out your meal with sweet treats that complement these savory rolls perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Feast Centerpiece: These Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls make an elegant addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner tables. Serve them warm alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib. The herb-infused rolls complement rich gravies and cranberry sauce beautifully.

Casual Dinner Companion: Pair these rolls with hearty soups like butternut squash or creamy mushroom bisque. They’re also perfect for sopping up sauce from pasta dishes, braised meats, or rustic stews. The honey butter adds a touch of sweetness that balances savory main courses.

Brunch Enhancement: Transform leftover rolls into French toast or bread pudding for weekend brunches. You can also slice them in half and use as the base for breakfast sandwiches with scrambled eggs and bacon, taking advantage of the rosemary’s aromatic qualities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-proofing the Dough: One of the most common errors when making Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls is allowing the dough to rise too long. Over-proofed rolls will collapse in the oven and have a dense, gummy texture. Watch for the dough to roughly double in size during the first rise, and don’t let the shaped rolls get overly puffy during the second rise.

Using Water That’s Too Hot: Yeast is sensitive to temperature, and water above 110°F will kill it, preventing your rolls from rising properly. Test the milk temperature with your wrist – it should feel comfortably warm, not hot. If you accidentally kill the yeast, you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast and properly heated liquid.

Chopping Rosemary Too Coarsely: Large pieces of rosemary can create unpleasant woody bits in your finished rolls. Always chop fresh rosemary very finely, almost to a minced consistency, so it distributes evenly throughout the dough and doesn’t overpower any single bite.

Storing Tips

Room Temperature Storage: Store cooled Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture and keep the rolls soft. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this will cause them to go stale more quickly.

Freezing for Long-term Storage: These rolls freeze exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. To reheat, thaw at room temperature for 2 hours or microwave frozen rolls for 30-45 seconds. For best results, brush thawed rolls with additional honey butter and warm in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.

Make-ahead Strategy: You can prepare the dough through the first rise, then punch down, shape into rolls, and refrigerate overnight before the second rise. This allows you to have fresh Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls with minimal morning effort for special occasions or busy weeknight dinners.

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