Description
Pillowy Lion House Dinner Rolls embody Salt Lake City’s beloved bakery tradition, delivering comfort in each golden, buttery bite. Warm, tender, and irresistibly light, these rolls invite you to savor a slice of homemade happiness straight from Utah’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 5–6 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 2/3 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup salted butter, melted (for shaping and brushing)
Leavening Agent:
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- Combine warm water and dry milk powder in a large mixing bowl, stirring until completely dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over the liquid and allow it to activate and become frothy, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate sugar, salt, softened butter, and egg into the yeast mixture. Add 2 cups of flour and mix thoroughly using an electric mixer, beating for 2 minutes to develop gluten and create a smooth base.
- Gradually introduce remaining flour in incremental amounts, creating a soft, slightly tacky dough that cleanly separates from the bowl’s edges. Knead the dough either with a stand mixer’s dough hook or manually, working the mixture for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a generously greased bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, positioning in a draft-free, warm environment to rise until volume doubles, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
- Gently punch down the risen dough and divide into two equal portions. Roll each section into a precise rectangular shape, approximately 11×14 inches. Brush the entire surface with melted butter for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Slice each rectangle into smaller uniform sections, approximately 2×4 inches. Carefully roll each piece from the shorter side, creating compact, uniform rolls with smooth surfaces.
- Arrange the rolled portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing sufficient spacing between rolls for expansion. Let the shaped rolls undergo a second rising period of 45-60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls until they achieve a rich, golden-brown color, typically 14-16 minutes. Immediately after removing from the oven, brush with additional melted butter for a glossy, rich finish.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is between 105-110°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother dough integration and easier mixing.
- Develop gluten structure by kneading consistently, creating a smooth, elastic texture that ensures soft, fluffy rolls.
- Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven or wrapped in a warm towel to promote even rising.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg