Craving Brown and Serve Rolls Near Me? Bake Delicious Homemade Ones!

Thanksgiving is a whirlwind of activity, yet it’s a holiday filled with warmth and connection. For many families, including ours, Thanksgiving is a cherished time to gather, give thanks, and enjoy each other’s company. Central to our Thanksgiving tradition is the feast, and no Thanksgiving table is complete without the perfect rolls. My soft rolls are a must-have – a fluffy, cloud-like roll is essential for my Thanksgiving Day dinner! However, the holiday season can be hectic, and sometimes convenience is key. That’s where brown and serve rolls come in. But what if you could have the convenience without sacrificing homemade quality?

Today, we’re excited to share a homemade brown and serve rolls recipe that gives you the best of both worlds. Imagine serving warm, freshly baked rolls without the last-minute rush. No need to search “Brown And Serve Rolls Near Me” in a frenzy before the big day. With this recipe, you can prepare ahead and bake to perfection when you’re ready to serve.

buttery brown and serve dinner rolls presented on a wooden table, one roll has been buttered

Why This Homemade Brown and Serve Rolls Recipe is a Game Changer:

Make-Ahead Magic: Enjoy the aroma of homemade rolls on Thanksgiving Day without spending hours in the kitchen that morning. These rolls are designed to be made in advance, freeing up your time when you need it most.
Amish Kitchen Inspiration: This recipe is inspired by classic Amish baking, adapted from our favorite cookbook. Expect simple ingredients and incredible flavor.
Freezer-Friendly Flexibility: Bake these rolls halfway, freeze them, and then finish baking whenever you’re ready. Perfect for holiday meal prepping or any time you crave fresh rolls.
Unbeatable Texture & Taste: Prepare for soft, fluffy interiors and beautifully golden brown tops. These homemade rolls will outshine any store-bought version, satisfying that “brown and serve rolls near me” craving with homemade goodness.

Mastering Yeast: Your Key to Roll Success

If the thought of working with yeast feels daunting, let me reassure you – it’s simpler than you think! I used to feel unsure about yeast baking myself. Questions like, “What type of yeast is best?” and “How do I get the water temperature just right?” might cross your mind.

For this recipe, we rely on active dry yeast. The key is to always check the instructions on your yeast packet, as different types may have slightly different activation methods.

Using a thermometer is your best tool for yeast success. For this recipe, the water temperature should be between 110 and 115°F. When the yeast is properly activated, it will become bubbly and frothy, indicating it’s ready to work its magic in your dough.

Essential Tips Before You Start Baking

Keep these four simple tips in mind for perfect brown and serve rolls every time:

Three Rises for Ultimate Fluffiness: Yeast dough needs time to develop flavor and texture. This recipe calls for three rises, which might seem like a lot, but it’s crucial for achieving that signature fluffy and delicious texture of perfect homemade bread. Plan your baking time accordingly!
Salted Butter Adjustment: If you only have salted butter on hand, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1 ¼ teaspoons to maintain the right flavor balance.
Flour Power: Bread Flour vs. All-Purpose: Bread flour is recommended for its higher protein content, which creates a slightly chewier and sturdier roll. However, all-purpose flour will also work if that’s what you have. All-purpose flour will result in softer, more tender rolls.
Kneading Know-How: We prefer using a stand mixer for kneading, but you can absolutely knead the dough by hand. The key is to avoid adding too much extra flour. The dough should be slightly tacky to the touch – this is what leads to soft and moist rolls.

Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Brown and Serve Rolls

Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, warm water, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it stand for 5-7 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Heat the milk in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes until hot. Add the remaining sugar and softened butter to the hot milk. Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it reaches 110-115°F. Then, pour this warm milk mixture into the activated yeast mixture.
First Rise (Batter Stage): Add 2 cups of flour to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, forming a very soft batter. Cover the bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

image of bubbly and wet yeast dough rising in a stainless steel mixing bowl

Form the Dough & Knead: After the first rise, add the salt and an additional 2 ½ cups of flour to the batter. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes by hand on a lightly floured surface, or for 5 minutes on low speed using the dough hook of your stand mixer.
Second Rise (Dough Ball): Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Shape the Rolls & Third Rise: Punch down the risen dough to release air. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 24 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls in a greased cake pan, leaving a little space between each roll. Let them rise again until nearly doubled, about another 20-30 minutes.

image of shaped dough balls arranged in a greased baking pan, ready for the final rise

image of brown and serve rolls stored in a clear plastic bag, ready for freezer storage

Bake and Serve (or Freeze for Later):
- For Brown and Serve: Bake the risen rolls in a preheated oven at 275°F for 20 minutes. They should be cooked through but not browned. Let the rolls cool completely, then freeze them in zippered bags in desired quantities. When ready to serve, thaw the rolls in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 45 minutes. Finish baking at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, until golden brown. Brush with melted butter for softer tops, if desired.
- Bake Immediately: If you prefer to bake and serve immediately, skip the freezing step. Bake the risen rolls at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Troubleshooting: Avoiding Shriveled Rolls

The secret to preventing shriveled brown and serve rolls lies in the initial bake. Ensure the rolls are fully cooked through during the pre-baking stage. If they are underbaked, they are more likely to shrivel as they cool and freeze. For our recipe, a full 20 minutes at 275°F was perfect. They should be set and cooked, not just lightly baked.

If you decide to make larger rolls (fewer than 24), you’ll need to increase the baking time during the initial bake to ensure they are cooked through.

Enjoy Homemade Freshness Anytime!

And there you have it – the ultimate homemade brown and serve rolls! Your family and guests will be amazed by their freshness and flavor, never guessing they were made ahead and frozen. Soft, fluffy, and utterly delicious, these rolls are pure perfection, ready whenever you are. Forget searching “brown and serve rolls near me” – you’ve got the best recipe right here!

You might also enjoy these other delicious roll recipes: apple butter cinnamon rolls, mashed potato rolls and pumpkin dinner rolls.

close up shot of golden brown and serve rolls with melted butter drizzled on top

Brown and Serve Rolls Recipe

Rating: 4.57 from 60 votes

Serve fresh rolls at short notice with this Homemade Brown and Serve Rolls recipe. They’re soft and fluffy with a golden brown top.

Yields: 24 rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

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Ingredients

1 package (7 grams) active dry yeast
¼ cup (2 ounces) warm water
1 tablespoon (12 grams) granulated sugar
1 ½ cups (12 ounces) 2% milk
5 tablespoons (60 grams) granulated sugar
6 tablespoons (84 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ teaspoons (7 grams) salt
4 ½ cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)

Instructions

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until frothy.
Heat milk in microwave for 1 ½ minutes until hot. Add sugar and butter; cool to 110-115°F. Add to yeast mixture.
Add 2 cups flour, mix to soft batter. Cover, rise in warm place 1 hour.
Add salt and 2 ½ cups flour, form soft dough. Knead 5-7 mins (hand) or 5 mins (mixer).
Place dough in greased bowl, cover. Rise in warm place until nearly double, ~30 mins.
Punch down dough, divide into 24 portions. Roll into balls, place in greased pan. Rise until nearly double, ~20-30 mins.
For Brown & Serve: Bake at 275°F for 20 mins (not browned, cooked through). Cool, freeze in bags. To serve, thaw, bake at 400°F for 8-12 mins. Brush with butter (optional).
To Bake Immediately: Bake at 375°F for 18-20 mins until golden brown.

Recipe Notes

Herb Variations: Add garlic, rosemary, or poultry seasoning for flavor variations.
Cloverleaf Rolls: Shape each roll from 3 small dough balls in muffin tins for easy tear-apart rolls.

Nutrition information is an estimate based on 24 rolls per recipe. Nutritional values may vary based on ingredient brands. Consult a nutritionist for precise nutritional information.

Nutrition

Author: Julie Clark
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 132
Keyword: homemade rolls, thanksgiving dinner

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