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overhead shot of 4 dinner rolls in small cake pan
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3.77 from 105 votes

Small Batch Dinner Rolls (45 minutes) + Maple Butter

This easy dinner roll recipe makes a small batch - just 4 rolls that's perfect for  small family or one person. Add some maple butter and eat them for breakfast!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 Rolls
Calories: 278kcal
Author: Dorothy Kern
Cost: $8

Ingredients

Rolls with Active Dry Yeast

  • 1/2 cup warm water 30 seconds in the microwave; think hot bathwater (110-115°)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Rolls with Instant Yeast

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour up to 2 cups
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 packet Instant (rapid rise) yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • ½ cup warm water 120-130°
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Maple Butter

  • 1/4 cup salted butter very soft
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon maple extract optional

Instructions

Rolls with Active Dry Yeast

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 6” round cake pan (or other similar sized pan) with cooking spray.
  • Place the water, olive oil, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes. It will be very frothy when your timer rings!
  • Mix in the salt and flour using the dough hook. Start on “Stir” for a few seconds, until the flour starts to incorporate. Switch to “2” for about 30 seconds and then kick it up to “3” until the dough completely comes together. You know it’s done when all of the dough will join to form a ball and the sides of the bowl are almost clean (no dough left). If your dough is too wet, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour.
  • Place dough on a lightly floured cutting board and section into 4 balls. Place the rolls prepared pan. Let rest for 5 more minutes.
  • Bake for about 11-15 minutes, or until the tops start to get golden.

Rolls with Instant Yeast

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 6” round cake pan (or other similar sized pan) with cooking spray.
  • Whisk ¾ cup flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Heat water to between 120-130°F. Add oil then add to dry ingredients. Mix with dough hook until wet and combined then add ¾ cup flour and mix until dough forms, adding up to ¼ cup additional flour so that dough is soft but not wet.
  • Turn out dough onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Let rest 10 minutes. Form in to 4 balls, place in prepared pan. Let pan sit in a warm place to rise 10-15 minutes.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden on top and cooked through. Serve warm.

Maple Butter

  • Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl. Store covered in refrigerator, best served at room temperature.

Notes

  • You can mix by hand or using a hand mixer.
  • Use an instant read thermometer for best results measuring water temperature.
  • Use a loaf pan, 6-inch round cake pan, or just bake rolls on a cookie sheet.
  • You can make 4 rolls or 8 smaller ones.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 2mg