Discover the professional bakery technique that creates the most incredibly soft and fluffy dinner rolls you’ve ever tasted! This revolutionary two-stage fermentation method produces rolls with an ultra-light, cotton-soft texture that pulls apart in perfect layers. After years of dense, disappointing homemade bread, this foolproof technique will transform your baking forever and give you bakery-quality results every single time.
Ingredients
For the Pre-Fermentation:
- Warm water – 500ml / 2 cups
- Active dry yeast – 10g / 1 packet
- Granulated sugar – 3 tbsp
- All-purpose flour – 350-400g / 3½ cups
- Salt – 1 tsp
For the Final Dough:
- Whole milk – 200ml / 1 cup, room temperature
- All-purpose flour – 400-500g / 4½ cups
- Unsalted butter – 100g / 7 tbsp, softened
- All pre-fermented dough – from previous step
- Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp
For Filling and Topping:
- Cheddar or Kashkaval cheese – 200g / 7 oz, cubed
- Egg yolk – 1 large
- Milk – 1 tbsp
Instructions
Step 1: Create the Pre-Fermentation Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, dry yeast, and sugar. Stir until the yeast completely dissolves and begins to foam, about 5 minutes. Gradually add flour and salt, beating until smooth and lump-free.
Step 2: First Fermentation
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let this liquid starter ferment for 1 hour at room temperature. The mixture should become bubbly and increase in volume significantly.
Step 3: Release Gas and Prepare Final Dough
After fermentation, gently stir the mixture to release trapped gases. In a clean large bowl, combine the room temperature milk, additional flour, softened butter, and the entire pre-fermented mixture.
Step 4: Knead to Perfection
Using a stand mixer with dough hook, knead for 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, work the dough for 8-10 minutes until it passes the windowpane test.
Step 5: Oil and Rest
Drizzle the dough with vegetable oil, turning to coat all surfaces. Cover and let rest for just 10 minutes. The dough should double in size during this short time.
Step 6: Shape the Rolls
Transfer the incredibly elastic dough to a floured work surface. The dough should stretch without breaking when pulled gently. Roll into a large rectangle, then fold both ends toward the center as shown in traditional bakery technique.
Step 7: Cut and Fill
Cut the folded dough into strips about 4 fingers wide, then cut each strip in half. Place a cube of cheese in the center of each piece and wrap the dough around it by gently stretching and sealing the edges.
Step 8: Final Rise
Arrange the shaped rolls on a parchment-lined baking tray. Allow to rise for only 5 minutes – they’ll puff up beautifully in this short time.
Step 9: Glaze and Bake
Whisk together egg yolk and milk to create a golden wash. Brush each roll generously with this mixture. Bake in a preheated 180°C / 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until deep golden brown.
Step 10: Enjoy the Results
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Watch as these ultra-fluffy rolls pull apart in perfect layers, revealing their cotton-soft interior.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Fermentation Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 12-16 rolls
- Calories: Approximately 245 per roll
Nutrition Information (Per Roll)
- Calories: 245
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fat: 7g
- Calcium: 12% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
- Fiber: 2g
Why This Recipe is Healthy
These bakery-style dinner rolls provide sustained energy through complex carbohydrates while delivering quality protein from both flour and cheese. The two-stage fermentation process breaks down gluten proteins, making the bread easier to digest and improving nutrient absorption. The addition of milk contributes calcium for bone health and B-vitamins for energy metabolism. Unlike store-bought rolls loaded with preservatives, this homemade version contains only wholesome ingredients you can pronounce. The cheese filling adds protein and calcium, while the controlled fermentation process creates beneficial compounds that support digestive health. When enjoyed as part of a balanced meal, these rolls provide comfort food satisfaction without excessive additives or processed ingredients.