Have you ever sat down at a restaurant and the first thing you get is a basket of warm, soft bread? It just sets the tone for a great meal. That’s exactly the feeling I get with these Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Honey Butter. The moment that basket arrives, you know it’s going to be a good day.
I wanted to bring that amazing experience home. This recipe captures that pillowy soft texture and slightly sweet flavor perfectly. And the whipped honey butter? It’s simply divine. Let’s get baking and fill your kitchen with the best aroma ever.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, these rolls are incredibly soft and fluffy. The texture is just out of this world. Each bite feels like a little cloud of bread, and it’s a texture that both kids and adults absolutely adore. They are truly some of the Best Dinner Rolls you will ever make.
The flavor is another huge win. They have a delicate sweetness from the honey that isn’t overpowering. It makes them versatile enough to pair with a savory stew or just enjoy on their own as a snack. They are fantastic Sweet Dinner Rolls.
You might think making bread from scratch is complicated, but this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. I’ve broken down every step to make it easy for bakers of all skill levels. Even if you’ve never worked with yeast before, you can do this!
And let’s talk about that cinnamon honey butter. It’s the finishing touch that takes these rolls from great to unforgettable. It melts right into the warm rolls, creating a gooey, sweet topping that is just so good. You will want to put it on everything.
Making a batch of these Dinner Buns makes your whole house smell wonderful. There is nothing quite like the scent of freshly baked bread. It creates such a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Let’s gather up everything we need. Most of these are pantry staples, which makes this recipe even better. Having good quality ingredients will really make your Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Honey Butter shine.
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast or active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 1/4 cup (85g) + 1 teaspoon honey, divided
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) pure butter or plant based butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3 and 1/2 cups (455g) bread flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For The Honey Butter Topping
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) pure butter or plant based butter, very soft
- 2 Tablespoons (42g) honey
A quick note on a few items. Bread flour is a great choice here because its higher protein content gives the rolls a chewier, more structured texture. Warm milk is key for activating the yeast. It should feel like a warm bath, not hot. If it’s too hot, it can harm the yeast.
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty! Follow these steps closely, and you’ll have a beautiful batch of Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Honey Butter in no time. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be fun.
Step 1: Prepare The Dough
First, we need to wake up our yeast. In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and just one teaspoon of honey. Loosely cover the bowl and let it sit for about five to ten minutes.
You are looking for the mixture to get foamy and frothy on top. This is called proofing the yeast, and it’s how you know the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. If you don’t see any foam, your yeast might be old, and it’s best to start over.
Step 2: Mix The Dough
Once your yeast is bubbly, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. Fit your mixer with the dough hook. With the mixer running on a low speed, add the remaining honey, the egg, the egg yolk, and the melted butter.
Next, add three cups of the flour and the salt. Let it mix for about a minute. Then, slowly add the final half cup of flour. Continue mixing on low for another minute. The dough should start to form a thick, soft ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly sticky.
Step 3: Knead The Dough
Now for the fun part, kneading. Continue kneading the dough with the mixer for about eight to ten minutes. If you are doing this by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for the same amount of time.
The dough should become soft and elastic. It will be slightly tacky to the touch but should not be overly sticky. A good way to test it is to poke it with your finger. If the indentation bounces back slowly, you are good to go.
Step 4: First Rise
Lightly grease a large bowl with a little oil or some nonstick spray. Place your kneaded dough inside the bowl, turning it over once to coat all sides with oil. This prevents a skin from forming.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Find a warm, draft-free spot in your home for it to rise. Let it sit for one to two hours, or until it has doubled in size. Patience is key here!
Step 5: Shape The Rolls
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into fifteen equal pieces. Each piece should weigh about 60 grams if you want to be precise. Roll each piece into a smooth little ball.
Place the dough balls into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan or a similar sized baking dish. Arranging them together helps them rise upwards, creating taller, softer Dinner Buns.
Step 6: Second Rise
Loosely cover the pan and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot. This second rise will take about an hour. You’ll know they are ready when they look puffy and have doubled in size again. They should be touching each other in the pan.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F or 177°C. Bake the rolls for twenty to twenty five minutes. It’s a good idea to rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure they brown evenly. If the tops get too brown too quickly, you can lightly cover them with foil.
Step 8: Honey Butter Topping
While the rolls are baking, you can whip up the glorious honey butter. In a small bowl, mix the very soft butter and honey together until it’s smooth and creamy. This stuff is so good, you might want to make extra.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the honey butter generously over the warm tops. The heat from the rolls will melt the butter slightly, letting it soak in. Serve any extra honey butter on the side for dipping.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, storing them is easy. Just make sure the rolls have cooled down completely first. You can keep them in an airtight container or a zip top bag.
They will stay fresh at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to one week. To reheat, just pop them in a 300°F or 149°C oven for about ten minutes until they are warm and soft again.
These rolls also freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer safe bag. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips
Want to make sure your Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Honey Butter come out great every time? Here are a few extra tips…
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple way to bring the taste of those famous restaurant rolls right into your own kitchen.
FAQ
Can I Use All Purpose Flour Instead Of Bread Flour?
Yes, you can. All purpose flour will still yield delicious rolls. They might just be slightly less chewy and a little softer. Bread flour has more protein, which helps develop more gluten for that classic bread texture, but all purpose is a fine substitute.
How Do I Know If My Yeast Is Active?
The proofing step is your test. When you mix the yeast with warm milk and a little honey, it should become foamy and bubbly within five to ten minutes. If it doesn’t, the yeast is likely no longer active, and your rolls won’t rise properly. It’s best to discard it and get fresh yeast.
Can I Make The Dough Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the dough through the first rise, then punch it down, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping the rolls and proceeding with the second rise.
Why Didn’t My Rolls Rise?
There are a few common reasons. Your yeast may not have been active. The liquid used to activate it might have been too hot or too cold. Another possibility is that the room where you let the dough rise was too cool. Dough loves a warm, cozy spot to do its thing.
Can I Use A Plant Based Butter?
Yes, you certainly can. The recipe notes mention that a plant based butter works well both in the dough and for the honey butter topping. Just make sure to use a good quality one for the best flavor and texture in your rolls.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Honey Butter
Recreate the famous restaurant experience with these pillowy soft, slightly sweet dinner rolls. Paired with a simple whipped honey butter, they are a comforting and family-friendly treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp of honey. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
- With the dough hook attached, add the remaining 1/4 cup honey, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Mix on low speed. Add 3 cups of flour and the salt, then slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on low speed for 8-10 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 15 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for about 1 hour, until puffy and doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking.
- While the rolls are baking, mix the soft butter and honey for the topping until smooth. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the honey butter generously over the tops.
Notes
Ensure your milk is warm (about 110°F), not hot, to properly activate the yeast without harming it.
For accurate flour measurement, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. This prevents the rolls from becoming too dense.
A great warm spot for the dough to rise is in your oven with only the oven light turned on.
Nutrition
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