Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe – Easy Homemade Bread with Sesame Seeds

Last Updated on 6 months ago by Neha Deshmukh

Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe – Easy Homemade Bread with Sesame Seeds

Hey everyone! There’s just something so comforting about a warm, soft dinner roll, isn’t there? I remember the first time I tried making homemade rolls – it felt a little daunting, but the smell that filled the kitchen was amazing. And honestly, once you get the hang of it, they’re surprisingly easy! These soft dinner rolls are perfect with a simple Indian meal, a hearty soup, or just a smear of butter and a cup of chai. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These aren’t your average dinner rolls. They’re incredibly soft, thanks to a little bit of kneading and a good rise. Plus, the sesame seeds add a lovely nutty flavour and a beautiful golden finish. They’re perfect for everything from a weeknight dinner to a festive celebration. And the best part? You don’t need to be a bread-baking pro to make them!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these delightful rolls:

• 3.5-4 cups (420-480g) all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups (300ml) water, lukewarm
• 2.5 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons (37.5g) granulated white sugar
• 3 teaspoons (11g) instant yeast
• 1.25 teaspoons (6g) salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons water (egg wash)
• Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter (melted, for brushing)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients for a sec! A few little things can make all the difference.

• Instant Yeast: I love using instant yeast because you don’t need to proof it first – it just gets mixed right in with the dry ingredients. It’s a real time-saver! If you’re using active dry yeast, you’ll need to bloom it in warm water with a little sugar for about 5-10 minutes before adding it to the other ingredients.
• Flour Power: All-purpose flour works beautifully for these rolls, giving them a lovely soft texture. Bread flour will give you a chewier roll, if that’s what you prefer! You can experiment with both.
• Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter isn’t too hot when you add it to the water. You want it melted, but not scalding. Around 120-125°F (49-52°C) is perfect. This ensures it doesn’t cook the yeast.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get down to business!

1. First, in the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast. Give it a quick whisk to make sure everything is evenly distributed.
2. Warm the water and butter until the butter is melted. Let it cool slightly to 120-125°F (49-52°C). Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the egg and mix on low speed until everything starts to come together.
3. Now, gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, until the dough forms a shaggy ball. It will be a bit sticky – that’s okay!
4. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough for about 10 minutes on medium speed. You want it to become smooth and elastic. It should still be slightly tacky, but not overly sticky.
5. Lightly oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball.
7. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let them rise for another hour.
8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Gently brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash, then sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter. This gives them that extra shine and delicious flavour!

Expert Tips

Want to take your rolls to the next level? Here are a few of my go-to tips:

• Soft Crumb Secret: Don’t overbake! Overbaking is the biggest culprit for dry rolls. Keep a close eye on them and take them out as soon as they’re golden brown.
• Preventing Dryness: Brushing with melted butter immediately after baking helps to keep them soft and moist.
• Sesame Seed Stickiness: For the sesame seeds to really stick, brush the rolls with egg wash right before sprinkling them on.

Variations

Feeling creative? Here are a few ways to customize these rolls:

• Vegan Option: Swap the butter for a plant-based butter alternative and use a “flax egg” (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) instead of the regular egg.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use a good quality gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. You might need to adjust the liquid slightly.
• Spice Level: My friend loves adding a teaspoon of rosemary or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavour.
• Festival Adaptations: During Diwali, my family loves shaping these into little flower shapes! It’s a fun way to get everyone involved.

Serving Suggestions

These rolls are amazing with just about anything! They’re fantastic alongside a comforting bowl of dal makhani, a spicy chicken curry, or even a simple tomato soup. They’re also perfect for making mini sliders or sandwiches.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: These rolls freeze beautifully! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm them up in the oven before serving.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• What type of flour is best for soft rolls? All-purpose flour is great for a soft texture. Bread flour will give you a chewier roll.
• Can I make these rolls ahead of time? You can prepare the dough up to the first rise and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
• How do I prevent the rolls from drying out? Don’t overbake them, and brush them with melted butter immediately after baking.
• Can I freeze these dinner rolls? Absolutely! Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
• What can I substitute for the egg wash to get a golden-brown color? You can use a tablespoon of milk or cream instead of the egg wash, but the colour won’t be as rich.

Enjoy! I hope these rolls bring a little bit of warmth and happiness to your kitchen. Let me know how they turn out in the comments below!