Soft Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls

No Thanksgiving spread is complete without warm, buttery rolls served straight from the oven. These homemade rolls are soft, fluffy, and golden brown perfect for pairing with everything from cranberry sauce to leftover turkey. With just a few pantry staples and a little time, you can make a batch of rolls that rival your favorite bakery’s.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or tackling Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, this recipe is straightforward and delivers consistently delicious results.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons milk

• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided), plus more for greasing the baking dish

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

• One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast

• 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon fine salt

• Vegetable oil, as needed

Directions

Step 1: Warm the Milk Mixture

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the milk, 3 tablespoons of butter, and sugar. Stir until the butter melts completely. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to about 110°F warm but not hot.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Sprinkle the yeast evenly over the warm milk mixture. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, until foamy. If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.

Step 3: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Pour in the milk and yeast mixture and stir until it forms a soft, ragged dough.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead by hand for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking, but don’t overdo it too much flour can lead to dense rolls.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a kitchen towel and set in a warm spot. Let it rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Preheat your oven to 400°F and butter a 9x13x2-inch baking dish.

Turn the risen dough onto your work surface and gently flatten into a disc. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges under and rolling gently in your palms.

Place the dough balls seam-side down into the prepared baking dish, arranging them in 3 rows of 4. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until the rolls nearly reach the top of the pan—about 2 to 2½ hours.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and brush generously over the tops of the rolls. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls sound hollow when tapped.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the rolls cool slightly in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can resist!). Serve warm with more butter, or use them as the perfect base for leftover sandwiches.

Tips for Success

• Use a thermometer to check the milk temperature it’s crucial for activating yeast properly.

• Want to prep ahead? After shaping, cover the rolls and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking the next day.

• For a richer flavor, add an egg to the dough or brush the tops with an egg wash before baking.

These Thanksgiving dinner rolls are simple, satisfying, and sure to disappear fast. Add them to your holiday traditions they’re worth every minute.

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