Soft Milk Dinner Rolls

These soft milk dinner rolls are super simple to put together with just seven ingredients. It is safe to say this dinner roll recipe is a treasure to keep. They have a super fluffy texture complemented by a touch of sweetness from condensed milk.

4 from 8 votes

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 30

Proofing: 3 30

Total Time: 4 30

Servings: rolls

Calories per serving: 331kcal

Author: Tu

Equipment

Ingredients

Dinner roll dough

3 ¼ c AP unbleached flour sifted
1 tbsp instant yeast
½ tsp salt
1 c whole milk room temperature
½ c sweetened condensed milk room temperature
1 large egg room temperature
2 oz unsalted butter cut into small cubes, softened at room temperature

Egg wash

1 large egg
1 tbsp whole milk

Condensed milk glaze

3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp unsalted butter softened at room temperature

Other

extra butter for greasing pan and mixing bowl
extra flour for dusting counter top

Instructions

Mixing process

Combine all dry ingredients in a stand mixer’s mixing bowl.
3 ¼ c AP unbleached flour, 1 tbsp instant yeast, ½ tsp salt
Meanwhile, whisk milk and egg together in a different small mixing bowl until the egg is well beaten.
1 c whole milk, ½ c sweetened condensed milk, 1 large egg
On low speed, add wet ingredients to the dry mixture (using a stand mixer dough hook). Mix until cohesive dough forms and no dry flour remains, about 1 minute.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.
Increase speed to medium-low; add softened butter, one piece at a time. Make sure each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next.
2 oz unsalted butter
Then, mix the dough until it is smooth and elastic and pull completely from the sides of the bowl—approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
Please do not add more flour to the dough because it is intentional for it to be lightly wet.

Kneading & first proof

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured or coated with oil in a large mixing bowl. It is best to use a mixing bowl to knead instead of a countertop/surface due to the wetness of this enriched dough.
Knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball by gently lifting and folding the edge of the dough toward the middle. Then, turn the bowl 90 degrees and fold again. Repeat the turning bowl and folding dough until two full circles are completed.
Place the dough seam side down (if you're kneaded on a countertop, carefully move the dough to a clean, large mixing bowl).
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it is double in size, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (first proof). Do not rush this proofing process for this dinner roll recipe, or you’ll end up with heavy and dense rolls.

Shaping & second proof

Meanwhile, grease your baking pan with softened butter.
extra flour
When the dough is ready, press down to deflate it. Then, carefully transfer it to a clean and lightly floured counter. Divide the dough into nine equal pieces (about 2.6 to 3 oz for each piece).
extra butter
Work with one piece of dough at a time. Cover the rest with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. Stretch the dough around your fingers and pinch the edges at the bottom to form a smooth, round ball.
Place the round dough seam side down on a counter (no flour to create more friction). Use your hand to drag the dough in small circles until it is completely round and smooth.
Arrange round doughs, seams side down, in a butter-greased baking pan.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours (second proof).

Baking

Pre heat oven to 340F.
After completing the second proof, gently brush these milk dinner rolls with an egg wash mixture.
1 large egg, 1 tbsp whole milk
Put the dough on the middle rack of the oven. .
Bake until these soft milk dinner rolls are golden brown, approximately 30 to 40 minutes at 340F. Remember to rotate the baking pan halfway through the process.
When the milk dinner rolls are done baking, let them cool down for 5 minutes at room temperature.
Then, brush with condensed milk glaze again. Serve warm or at room temperature.
3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Notes

Storing

These milk dinner rolls or any other enriched bread/dinner rolls (see: fluffy condensed milk bread) can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Leftover idea

Leftover easy homemade dinner rolls can be used to make bread pudding. Check out this fantastic soft cinnamon raisin bread pudding recipe.

Plan ahead

You'll be able to make this milk buns recipe ahead of time. After shaping the dough into equal pieces and placing it in a baking pan, refrigerate them for at least 8 or 24 hours. Then, let the dough sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking. So, you can use the schedule above to plan accordingly.

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Nutrition

Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 9gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 201mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 366IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 118mgIron: 2mg