1-Hour Soft and Buttery Dinner Rolls

Step 1

Prep your oven and baking dish.  Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan with cooking spray, and set aside.

Step 2

Warm the liquid ingredients.  In a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, stir together the water and melted butter, then add in the milk and honey and stir until combined.  Microwave the mixture for 1 minute, and give it a stir.  Continue microwaving the mixture in 15 second intervals, until it is very warm to the touch but not hot or boiling (anywhere between 95°F-115°F), and the butter is completely melted.  The temperature of the water is important here, because if it's too hot (120°F or more), it will kill the yeast.  If it's too cool, the yeast will not activate.  Just think -- a little bit warmer than your body temperature.

Step 3

Add yeast.  Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl of a stand mixer.  Then sprinkle the yeast evenly on top, and give it a quick stir with a fork to combine.  Wait for five minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.

Step 4

Add dry ingredients.  Then add in 3.5 cups of flour (not all of the flour!) and the salt.

Step 5

Mix.  Using the dough-hook, mix on medium-low speed until the dry ingredients are combined.  If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add in 1/4 cup more flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is only slightly sticky to the touch.  (Only use up to 4 cups of flour total.)  Continue mixing on low speed for 4-5 minutes.  Then form the dough into a ball with your hands and transfer it to a greased bowl.

Step 6

Let the dough rise.  Cover the bowl with a damp towel or paper towel, and let it rise briefly for 15 minutes.

Step 7

Form the rolls.  Gently punch the dough down and divide into 15 equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a ball and place the dough balls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.  Cover the dish again with a damp towel or paper towel, and let the dough balls rise for an additional 15-20 minutes.

Step 8

Bake.  Bake for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown on top and cooked through.

Step 9

Brush with more butter.  Remove the baking dish from the oven, and brush the tops of the rolls with butter.  (Yum.)

Step 10

Serve warm.  And enjoy!