• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fueling a Southern Soul

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Dinner
  • Drinks
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • pitcher of sweet tea with 2 glasses in the background
      Large Batch Southern Sweet Tea
    • a twice baked potato on a plate with a fork taking a bite out of it.
      Twice-Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
    • smoked salmon deviled eggs on a platter with green glasses in the background.
      Fancy Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Dill
    • sausage gravy spooned over butter ilk biscuits with a fork eating some.
      Southern Sausage Gravy for Biscuits with Heavy Cream
    • a sweet biscuit on a plate topped with butter and drizzled with honey.
      Cast Iron Skillet Sweet Buttermilk Biscuits (tender!)
    • deviled eggs with bacon jam on top n a small platter.
      Sweet and Savory Deviled Eggs with Bacon Jam
    • Kentucky hot brown dip in a cast iron skillet
      Cast Iron Skillet Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
    • kentucky oak lily cocktail with blackberry and lemon peel garnish.
      Large Batch Kentucky Oaks Lily with Vodka
    • hot brown casserole in a baking dish
      Oven-Baked Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole with Mornay Sauce
    • a pitcher of mint juleps
      Large Batch Classic Kentucky Mint Julep with Bourbon
    • deviled eggs on a plate with BBQ sauce on top
      Deviled Eggs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce Drizzle
    • bacon jam in a bowl with crackers around it and a spoon inside.
      Bacon-Bourbon Jam for Burgers, Biscuits, and More
    Home » Bread

    Published Nov 11, 2021 (Updated Aug 21, 2024) by Heather Bilyeu

    Homemade Yeast Rolls

    Leave a Review
    Leave a review
    This post may contain affiliate links
    Jump to Recipe

    These homemade yeast rolls are so soft and tender that they will melt in your mouth. Delicate artisan bread rolls are perfect with any meal and are best with a pad of melty butter in the middle!

    The holidays are here and that means so are all the goodies and treats. And that includes homemade yeast rolls!

    Whether it's your Thanksgiving table or Christmas, these artisan yeast rolls made from scratch will BLOW YOU AWAY!

    I love a lot of things I make. OBVIOUSLY. lol. That would be silly if I had this site and didn't. But there are some moments when I really nail it and kinda surprise myself.

    And this recipe did that. When Justin came home the day I tested these, I told him immediately he had to try one and he proceeded to eat like 6! ? He really is the best taste tester!

    These rolls are soft and fluffy and tender and have such a delicate flavor and oh my gosh THEY ARE SO GOOD! Perfect for the holidays. Perfect for a dinner party. Perfect for a Wednesday night when you want to treat yo self.

    Let's get to baking!

    one Homemade Yeast Rolls on a blue plate with a pad of butter on it.

    Ingredients Needed

    You just need a couple of staple ingredients:

    • Yeast
    • Water
    • Sugar
    • Salt
    • Olive Oil
    • Flour
    • Butter

    PRO TIP - Make sure you have fresh yeast. If your yeast is old then the dough will not rise properly. Resulting in sunken dense rolls. If your yeast does not bubble at the beginning of the recipe with the water and sugar, your yeast is bad and you need fresh. Always store your yeast in the fridge too to keep it fresh.

    yeast and water bubbly in a mixer.
    bread dough in a glass bowl.
    bread dough that has doubled and risen in size.

    How to Make

    1. Combine yeast, ½ cup of water, and sugar. Let rest in a large stand mixer for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
    2. Add the rest of the water, salt, and oil. Start the mixer with the dough hook on and slowly add flour. Once all the flour is added, knead for 5 minutes (with a dough hook or by hand). If the dough is still sticky add in the last ¼ cup of flour until the dough isn't sticky.
    3. Oil a large bowl with oil. Add in the dough and cover on all sides with oil. Set in a warm dry place with a towel on top and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled. 
    4. Punch the bowl down.  Divide into 20 equal size pieces (about 2 ounces each). Form into smooth equally sized round balls and place in a 9x13 greased baking dish together. Let rest on the counter under a towel for 30-60 minutes. 
    5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    6. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
    7. When finished, take the bread out of the oven and brush the tops with melted butter.
    bread dough being divide on a counter.
    yeast rolls in a baking dish before going into the oven.
    homemade yeast rolls after baking in the oven.

    How to Prep and Make Ahead of Time

    Yes, you can! Homemade and artisan bread is a great thing to make ahead of time! There are a couple of different ways to do so.

    ONE – FREEZING THE BREAD DOUGH

    Once you have done the first rise (step 4), continue placing the dough balls into a baking dish like you are getting ready for the next rise. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap 3 times and then wrap in foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    When ready to continue, remove from the freezer and let thaw in the fridge for 24 hours. Remove from the fridge, unwrap, let come to room temperature, and rise for 1-2 hours on the counter. Bake as directed.

    TWO – MAKING THE DAY BEFORE

    If making the day before, make it all the way up to baking. Place the baking dish in the fridge wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge overnight. When ready to make the next day, let sit on the counter to come to room temperature and rise for 1-2 hours, and bake as directed.

    bowl of Homemade Yeast Rolls with a butter dish and knife next to it.

    Tips for Making Bread

    I learned a couple of things along the way to help in the bread-making process.

    1. Make sure you have fresh yeast. If your yeast is old then the dough will not rise properly. Resulting in sunken dense rolls. If your yeast does not bubble at the beginning of the recipe with water and sugar, your yeast is bad and you need fresh. Always store your yeast in the fridge too to keep it fresh.
    2. Use a high-powered stand mixer. Bread dough is tough and it requires a lot of power from a stand mixer. My Kitchen Aide honestly isn’t strong enough. I use my Nutrimill Artise mixer for any bread I am doing. If your mixer is struggling, remove it and knead it by hand. Don’t blow out your mixer motor. (affiliate link)
    3. Don’t rush the rises. I know it is a lot of time for rising and a time-intensive recipe. But trust me it is worth it! The patience will pay off!
    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    homemade yeast rolls in a bowl

    Homemade Yeast Rolls


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    • Author: Heather Bilyeu
    • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
    • Yield: 20 1x
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    Homemade yeast rolls are so soft and tender that they will melt in your mouth. Delicate artisan bread rolls are perfect with any meal and are best with a pad of melty butter in the middle!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 ¼ Teaspoons Yeast
    • 1 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Water – warmed to 115 degrees
    • 1 Cup Flour + 2 Tablespoons
    • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
    • 1 ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil +1 Tablespoon for the bowl
    • 3-3 ¼ Cups Flour
    • ½  Stick Butter - melted, for inside and outside 

    Instructions

    1. Combine yeast,½ cup of water, and sugar. Let rest in a large stand mixer for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
    2. Add the rest of the water, salt, and oil. Start the mixer with the dough hook on and slowly add flour. Once all the flour is added, knead for 5 minutes (with a dough hook or by hand). If the dough is still sticky add in the last ¼ cup of flour until the dough isn't sticky.
    3. Oil a large bowl with oil. Add in the dough and cover on all sides with oil. Set in a warm dry place with a towel on top and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. 
    4. Punch the bowl down.  Divide into 20 equal size pieces (about 2 ounces each). Form into smooth equally sized round balls and place in a 9x13 greased baking dish together. Let rest on the counter under a towel for 30-60 minutes or until nearly doubled in size. 
    5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    6. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
    7. When finished, take the bread out of the oven and brush the tops with melted butter.

    Notes

    • Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 2 days

    Making Ahead of Time

    1. FREEZING THE BREAD DOUGH - Once you have done the first rise (step 4), punch down in the middle and shape it into a ball. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap 3 times and place inside a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to continue, remove from the freezer and let thaw in the fridge for 24 hours. Remove from the fridge, unwrap, punch down to release any air bubbles, and continue with the directions from the recipe from step 4 on.
    2. MAKING THE DAY BEFORE - If making the day before, make it all the way up to step 9. Place both loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge overnight. When ready to make the next day, let sit on the counter to come to room temperature and rise for 1-2 hours, and bake as directed.
    3. FREEZING BAKED BREAD - When the cheese bread is baked and fully cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap 3 times and aluminum foil on the outside. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, place in the fridge to thaw for 24 hours. Remove unwrap and place in a 200-degree oven for 10 minutes to warm back up. Slice and serve!
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • 2 hours:
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Category: Bread
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1
    • Calories: 130
    • Sugar: 1.3 g
    • Sodium: 175.5 mg
    • Fat: 4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 20.5 g
    • Fiber: 0.8 g
    • Protein: 2.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 6.1 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @fuelingasouthernsoul on Instagram and hashtag it #fuelingasouthernsoul

    Please rate and review below!

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
    « Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread
    Southern Apple Pie with Granny Smith Apples »

    Filed Under: Bread, Christmas, Easter, Southern, Thanksgiving

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

    Thank you so much for making this recipe and taking time out of your day to leave a star rating and comment review. I do not take it for granted and I appreciate you being here and sharing your thoughts on the recipe with me!

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Heather! Grab a glass of wine, a blanket, and a cozy seat on your back porch. I am so glad you are here! Born and raised in Kentucky and with proper southern roots, my love for entertaining and hospitality runs deep within my soul. There is nothing that I love more than having people around my table and loving them through food and drink!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • stacked Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls with a bowl of pb balls and 2 glasses of milk
      Chewy Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Balls (no chocolate)
    • 3 ingredient pizza dough on a baking tray with flour and a rolling pin next to it.
      3 Ingredient Pizza Dough
    • protein french toast on a plate with strawberries and blueberries
      Cinnamon-Spiced French Toast with Whole Grain Bread 
    • a big bowl of mashed potatoes scooping out with a wooden spoon.
      Southern-Style Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

    Spring Trending Recipes

    • Lemon and Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake on a cooling rack with plates and blueberries in the b background.
      Tender Lemon and Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake
    • whipped feta dip with honey and pistachios on a purple table with lemons, crackers, cucumbers, and flowers next to the bowl.
      Dreamy Whipped Feta Dip with Honey and Pistachios
    • Caramelized Onion and Spinach Quiche

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Web Stories
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Fueling a Southern Soul