Name: French Bread Dinner Rolls
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup Warm Water (under 110°F); 1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast; 1/2 teaspoon Honey; 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon Salt

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why make this recipe

French Bread Dinner Rolls are perfect for any occasion. They are soft, fluffy, and have a wonderful crust. Making them from scratch gives you fresh rolls that taste better than store-bought. They are great with dinner, for sandwiches, or even enjoyed on their own. Plus, this recipe is simple enough for anyone to try!

how to make French Bread Dinner Rolls

Ingredients

1 cup Warm Water Under 110 Degrees
1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
1/2 teaspoon Honey
2 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Mix the warm water, yeast, and honey in a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Let this mix sit for about 8 minutes until the yeast gets foamy.
Add all of the all-purpose flour and the salt. Knead the mixture on medium speed for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should pull away from the bowl’s sides and feel smooth.
Put the dough in a well-greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, fold each side of the dough over to make a square. Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 45 minutes. This helps to realign the gluten.
Recover the dough and allow it to rise for 30 to 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Grease two round cake pans (either 8" or 9") or a 9×13 pan with butter.
On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in half. Then divide each half into 5 pieces, making a total of 10 rolls.
To shape each roll, tuck the edges underneath until the roll is smooth and round on top. Place the rolls seam side down into the greased pans (5 in each pan if using cake pans) and cover them.
Put the shaped rolls in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Take the rolls out of the refrigerator while the oven heats up. Let them double in size.
Right before baking, mist the rolls with water.
Bake in the 500-degree oven for 10 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 400 degrees and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. The rolls should be brown on the outside and sound hollow when you tap the top.
Once done, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.

how to serve French Bread Dinner Rolls

You can serve French Bread Dinner Rolls warm with butter or olive oil on the side. They also go well with soups, stews, and salads. You can even slice them and fill them with your favorite sandwich meats and cheese!

how to store French Bread Dinner Rolls

To store French Bread Dinner Rolls, keep them covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them by placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.

tips to make French Bread Dinner Rolls

Make sure your water is warm but not hot. Too high of a temperature can kill the yeast.
Be patient while the dough rises. The longer you let it rise, the better your rolls will be.
Mist the rolls with water before baking to help create a nice crust.

variation

You can add herbs, cheese, or garlic to the dough for a different flavor. Parmesan cheese or dried rosemary works great.

FAQs

1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can replace active dry yeast with instant yeast without changing the measurements.

2. What if my rolls don’t rise?
If your rolls don’t rise, the yeast may be old, or the water temperature was too hot or too cold. Always check your yeast and ensure the water is warm.

3. How can I reheat the rolls later?
To reheat, wrap the rolls in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.