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Lemon Herb Dinner Rolls by Baking The Goods

Lemon Herb Dinner Rolls

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Description

These pillowy Lemon Herb Dinner Rolls are buttery soft and fluffy with ultra tender interiors. The bright lemon and earthy herbs add fresh flavor to the tender rolls.

Ingredients

Units
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 3-4 tablespoons melted and cooled
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • 3 cups all purpose flour, plus 1-2 tablespoons
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt salt
  • 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt - optional, for topping
  • 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons finely chopped, fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme
  • 1 small lemon, zested
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the honey.
  2. Slowly stir in the milk. Whisking the mixture together. It will need to be at 110°F. If it's too cool, warm it on the stove over low heat until it reaches 110°. If it's too warm let it sit (off of the heat) until it reaches 110°F.
  3. Pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and stir in the yeast. Allow to stand until it begins to bloom and become foamy, about 10 minutes.
  4. Roughly stir in the egg, flour, sugar and salt. Attach the dough hook and knead the dough on medium speed for 6-8 minutes.
  5. Add the lemon zest and 1 teaspoon of the herbs. The dough will be very sticky and soft (thanks to all that buttery goodness). Once the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and cling to the hook, gently remove it (a bowl scraper or spatula comes in handy here) and shape it into a ball shape in your hands or on a very lightly floured surface.
  6. Place the dough ball into a large lightly oiled bowl. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in a warm area for about 1-2 hours until the dough ball doubles in size.
  7. Generously butter two 8" or 9" metal or ceramic cake pans. Divide the dough into 18 equal chunks (using a kitchen scale if you have one) each piece should weigh about 1 1/2 ounces or 45 grams.
  8. Roll each chunk of dough into a little round ball and evenly space 9 dough balls in each round pan, with one in the center and 8 around the outside, evenly spaced. Or place evenly spaced in a 9x9 grid in a square pan.
  9. Brush the dough balls gently and abundantly with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Then cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them stand until they puff up, about an hour.
  10. With the rack positioned in the middle of your oven, preheat to 375°F. Bake the rolls until they are a warm golden brown, about 18 minutes.
  11. Immediately, brush them again with 1-2 more tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle with coarse salt and remaining fresh herbs. Best when served right away while they are still all warm and squishy.

Notes

*Recipe adapted from Buttery Flaky Rolls recipe in Home Baked Comfort (Williams-Sonoma) by Kim Laidlaw Buttery Flaky Rolls recipe in Home Baked Comfort (Williams-Sonoma) by Kim Laidlaw


You can freeze these Lemon Herb Dinner Rolls and enjoy a fresh baked batch at a later date. You've got 2 options. 

Option 1 - Freeze Unbaked Lemon Herb Rolls

  • Once you've shaped the dough balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with with wax paper or parchment paper. Then cover loosely with plastic wrap.
  • Immediately store in the freezer until they are completely frozen and rock hard. 
  • Transfer to a freezer proof baggie and freeze up to one month.
  • Space the rolls evenly in two, generously buttered 8" or 9" round or square metal or ceramic pans. Then cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them stand until they puff up, and have doubled in size. It may take 4+ hours, depending on how warm it is in your kitchen. 
  • Then brush the dough balls gently and abundantly with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and continue per recipe instructions. 

Option 2 - Freeze fully baked Lemon Herb Rolls

  • Bake your rolls as the recipe calls, like you'd serve the right away.
  • Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Place the foil-wrapped package in a freezer bag or storage container and freeze for up to a month.
  • To thaw the dinner rolls, remove from the freezer the night before, or at least a few hours before you want to serve them. Remove the foil-wrapped rolls from the freezer bag and loosen the foil. Allow them to thaw at room temperature overnight or for at least a few hours. When you are ready to serve, re-warmed, while still in the loose foil packing, for about 10 minutes in a 300°F oven
  • Serve the rolls immediately, while still warm.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Proofing time: 2-3 hours
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes

Find it online: https://bakingthegoods.com/lemon-herb-dinner-rolls/