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dinner rolls in a round cake pan
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4.75 from 8 votes

Garlic Butter and Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Light, fluffy, and flavored with garlic butter and parmesan cheese, these are a delicious addition to any dinner. They are simple enough to make in about an hour or can be formed and frozen to bake whenever you’re ready.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 1 hour bread, Christmas, Dinner rolls, easy bread recipe, Thanksgiving
Servings: 16
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $4.00

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Sauce Pan
  • 2 8" Cake Pans or 1 9" x 13" Baking Dish

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 1 1/2 cups Warm Water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1 Tablespoon Instant or "Fast-Acting" Yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour, lightly spooned into measuring cup and leveled off (4 cups = 500g)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, plus more for sprinkling over top
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped Parsley (optional)

for Garlic Butter:

  • 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 3 cloves Garlic, grated

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 5 minutes.
  • To the yeast mixture, add 2 Tablespoon softened butter, flour, and salt. Mix on low until the ingredients begin to come together.
  • Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (You will know it is ready when the dough starts to make a slapping sound as it hits the sides of the bowl.)
  • Remove the bowl from the mixer and cover it with a dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 20 to 30 minutes (if the kitchen is on the cooler side, use the higher end of the rise time).
  • While dough rises, combine 6 Tablespoons butter and garlic in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Heat until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant.
  • Brush about half the garlic butter (reserve the second half) over the bottom and sides of 2 cake pans (alternatively, you can bake all of the rolls together in a 9x13 baking dish).
  • After the dough has completed its first rise, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into an even ball.
  • Slice the dough into 16 even portions and gently form them into balls. Place the dough balls in prepared cake pans.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C. Place cake pans near the warm oven and let dough rise for 15 minutes more.
  • Bake rolls until just starting to turn golden brown on top, 15 minutes.
  • Remove rolls from the oven and brush generously with remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  • Return rolls to oven and continue baking just until cooked through and deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes more.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you’d like.
  • Let rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out of the pan. Best served the same day they’re baked.

Notes

Kosher Salt - I use Morton’s Kosher Salt to test recipes. If using table salt, reduce by about half. If using Diamond Kosher Salt, increase by about 25%. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to salt, so be sure to taste and adjust as you go.
To Freeze: Prepare the rolls as directed, including placing them in the cake pans and allowing them to complete the second rise. After the second rise, transfer the pans to the freezer. Freeze for 4 to 6 months. To bake, defrost at room temperature until they are fully defrosted and starting to rise again, 4 to 6 hours (they will need the higher end of the rise time in a cool room / kitchen). Transfer to the oven and bake as directed (they may take an extra minute or two if still cold when baked). 
Print and attach the label below so cooking instructions are ready when you are!
garlic butter and parmesan dinner rolls freezer rolls

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg