Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls: Easy, Fluffy 1-Hour Yeast Rolls

Introduction

Imagine pulling a tray of warm, golden-brown, jumbo dinner rolls from your oven in just about an hour. This recipe for Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls makes that dream a reality, offering all the soft, fluffy, buttery goodness of a traditional yeast roll without the long wait. Perfect for weeknight dinners, last-minute holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave fresh-baked bread, these easy dinner rolls are a reliable lifesaver.

What sets these Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls apart is the use of an instant “quick-rise” yeast and a warm, enriched dough that rises rapidly. The method is straightforward, requiring no special equipment beyond a bowl and your hands, yet yields impressively light and tender results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a nervous first-timer, this recipe guarantees a batch of soft, pillowy rolls that will disappear from the bread basket in minutes.

Ingredients List

Using exact measurements and warm ingredients is key to the “quick” rise. This recipe makes 8 large, bakery-style rolls.

• 3 ¼ cups (406g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons / 7g) instant (rapid-rise) yeast
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to 110°F (43°C)
• ¼ cup (57g / 1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, plus 2 tablespoons extra for brushing
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• Flaky sea salt for finishing (optional)

Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk and wooden spoon or spatula
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional, but helpful)
• Kitchen scale (highly recommended for accuracy)
• 9-inch round cake pan or 9×9 inch square baking pan
• Pastry brush
• Instant-read thermometer

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: Making the Dough

Step 1: Warm the Milk and Butter
Heat the milk in a microwave or small saucepan until it reaches 110°F (43°C). It should feel warm but not hot to the touch. Use a thermometer for accuracy; too hot will kill the yeast. In a separate bowl, melt the butter and let it cool slightly so it’s warm, not scalding Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In your large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), whisk together 3 cups of the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. This distributes the yeast and salt evenly Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 3: Form the Dough
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the warm milk, the ¼ cup of melted butter, and the room-temperature egg. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook on low speed Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 4: Knead to Smoothness
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for 5-7 minutes, incorporating the remaining ¼ cup of flour a little at a time as needed to prevent sticking. The dough is ready when it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but no longer sticks to your hands. If using a mixer, knead with the dough hook on medium speed for 4-5 minutes. Resist adding too much extra flour, as this will make the rolls dense Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Part 2: The Quick Rise & Shaping

Step 5: First Rise (Only 15 Minutes!)
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Place it in a warm, draft-free spot (like an off oven with the light on). Let it rise for just 15 minutes. The instant yeast and warm ingredients make this rapid rise possible for our quick dinner rolls.

Step 6: Divide and Shape
After 15 minutes, the dough should look slightly puffy. Turn it out onto a very lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces (weighing them ensures perfect uniformity). Cup your hand over each piece and roll it firmly on the counter in a circular motion to form a smooth, tight ball. This creates surface tension for a nice shape Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 7: Pan the Rolls
Grease your 9-inch round or square baking pan. Arrange the 8 dough balls in the pan, spaced evenly apart but just touching. They will expand and grow together as they rise and bake, creating those prized soft, pull-apart sides Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Part 3: Final Rise & Baking

Step 8: Final Rise (20 Minutes)
Cover the pan with greased plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the shaped rolls rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. They should nearly double in size and look puffy. Towards the end of this rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Once risen, place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the tops are a deep, uniform golden brown. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a roll should read at least 190°F (88°C) Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls.

Step 10: Butter and Serve
As soon as the jumbo dinner rolls come out of the oven, brush the tops generously with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter. This gives them a beautiful sheen, adds flavor, and keeps the crust soft. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack or serve warm directly from the pan.

Tips and Substitutions for Success

• Yeast Note: Instant yeast (also labeled “rapid-rise” or “quick-rise”) is essential for the speed of this recipe. Do not substitute with active dry yeast unless you adjust the rise times significantly.
• Milk Temperature: This is the most common point of failure. Use a thermometer. If you don’t have one, the milk should feel like a very warm bath—not hot enough to make you pull your finger away.
• Flour Measurement: For the most consistent results, weigh your flour. If using cups, fluff the flour in the bag, spoon it into the measuring cup, and level it off. Do not scoop directly.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use an unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk (like oat or soy) and vegan butter substitute.
• Make-Ahead & Freezing:
  • To Freeze Before Baking: After shaping the rolls in the pan, cover tightly and freeze. The day before baking, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then proceed with the 20-minute final rise and bake.
  • To Freeze After Baking: Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat, wrapped in foil, in a 300°F oven until warm.
• Serving Suggestions: These are the perfect companion for soups, stews, holiday feasts, or simply slathered with butter and honey. They also make excellent slider buns.
• Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat for 5-10 minutes in a 350°F oven to restore freshness.

Nutritional Information

Per roll (based on 8 rolls):

• Calories: ~280 kcal
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 220mg (without topping salt)
• Total Carbohydrates: 43g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 7g

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Conclusion

These Quick Jumbo Dinner Rolls prove that phenomenal homemade bread doesn’t have to be an all-day project. By leveraging modern instant yeast and a smart, enriched dough formula, you can go from flour to fabulous in about the same time it takes to cook the rest of your meal. The sight of these golden, fragrant rolls on your table and the feel of their impossibly soft, warm crumb is a reward that far outweighs the minimal effort required.

Master this one simple recipe, and you’ll have a forever solution for bringing the comfort and joy of fresh-baked bread to any dinner table, any night of the week.

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