Dinner Rolls

Step 1

Combine the milk and water and heat until the mixture is 110-115° F. (I usually combine them in a glass liquid measuring cup and warm in the microwave. You can also warm them in a pot on the stove.)

Step 2

Pour the warm milk and water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the granulated sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Whisk gently to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam and/or bubble.

Step 3

Add the salt, egg and all-purpose flour. Mix on low speed using the paddle attachment. Once combined, add the 4 tablespoons of softened butter and continue mixing until the butter is incorporated.

Step 4

Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough on low speed until it is smooth and only slightly sticky to the touch, about 8 minutes. The dough is supposed to be slightly sticky, but if it is very sticky you can add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Avoid adding too much flour, because this will make the rolls more dense instead of light and fluffy. The dough should stick to your finger a little bit when you touch it but not be so sticky that it won't be workable.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to a large lightly oiled bowl and turn once to coat all sides of the dough ball with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Lightly grease a 13x9-inch rectangular baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 7

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a few times by hand to release any air bubbles.

Step 8

Cut the dough into 15 equal sized pieces. To do this, first cut the dough into 3 equal pieces. Then cut each of the 3 pieces into 5 pieces. The dough balls should be approximately the same size, but they do not need to be exactly the same. (If you have a kitchen scale you can divide the total weight of the dough by 15 for an approximation of how much each roll should weigh.)

Step 9

To shape the rolls, first make each piece of dough into a ball by tucking the edges of the dough ball underneath itself. Then place the dough ball on a clean work surface and, cupping your hands around the ball, use your palms to spin it on the work surface until it becomes a tighter ball. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish.

Step 10

Cover the rolls in the dish with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375° F.

Step 12

Bake the rolls, uncovered, for 19-23 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the center rolls are baked through.

Step 13

Remove rolls from the oven. Brush the 1 tablespoon of melted butter on the tops of the warm rolls. Serve warm.