1-Hour Soft & Fluffy Dinner Rolls — FRESH FROM THE OVEN ROLLS ON THANKSGIVING

FRESH FROM THE OVEN ROLLS ON THANKSGIVING — I'd seen several versions of this recipe on Pinterest and decided to experiment with it as a possibility for Thanksgiving.  I divided the rolls putting them in two  9 x 9-inch baking dishes. I baked one dish immediately after the last 15 to 20 minute rise but refrigerated the other dish as I wanted to see how the rolls would turn out after an overnight stay in the fridge. The next day I took them out as I preheated the oven, allowing them to come to room temperature. I noticed no difference in overall quality so these are the rolls I'll make for Thanksgiving — I'll make the dough and shape on Wednesday, then serve freshly baked rolls on Thanksgiving. 

1-Hour Soft & Fluffy  Dinner Rolls     Makes 18

1 cup water

1/2 cup milk 
2 tablespoons butter + extra for brushing tops after baking
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup  
1 tablespoon active-dry yeast
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1. Prep oven & baking dish: Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch or two 9 x 9-inch baking dish(es/pan(s) with cooking spray, and set aside.
2. Heat the liquids: In a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, stir together the water and milk and milk; add the honey or maple syrup. Microwave the mixture at 30 second intervals until it reaches 110°F and the butter is mostly melted.
   
3. Add yeast:  Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl of a stand mixer.  Then sprinkle the yeast evenly on top, give it a quick stir with a fork or dough hook to combine, and let the yeast activate for 5 minutes until it is foamy.
4. Add dry ingredients:  Add in 3 1/2 cups of flour and the salt.
5. Mix: Use the dough-hook to mix in the dry ingredients on medium-low speed until combined. If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add in 1/4 cup more flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is only slightly sticky to the touch. (Only use up to 4 cups of flour total.) Continue mixing on low speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth. Then form the dough into a ball with your hands and transfer it to a greased bowl.
   
6. Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a damp towel or paper towel, and let it rise briefly for 15 minutes.

   

   Dough after a 15 minute rise.

7. Form the rolls: Gently punch the dough down and divide into 18 equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a ball and place the dough balls in the greased baking dish. Cover the dish again with a damp towel or paper towel and let the dough balls rise for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
   
8. Bake: Uncover and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the rolls or until nicely browned on both the bottom and top; internal temp should read between 190 to 200°.
9. Finishing: Remove from oven and brush with more butter Transfer the baking dish to a wire cooling rack and brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.
   

Recipe without photos . . .1-Hour Soft & Fluffy  Dinner Rolls     Makes 18

1 cup water

1/2 cup milk 
2 tablespoons butter + extra for brushing tops after baking
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup  
1 tablespoon active-dry yeast
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1. Prep oven & baking dish: Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch or two 9 x 9-inch baking dish(es)/pan(s) with cooking spray, and set aside.
2. Heat the liquids: In a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, stir together the water and milk and milk; add the honey or maple syrup. Microwave the mixture at 30 second intervals until it reaches 110°F and the butter is mostly melted.
3. Add yeast:  Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl of a stand mixer.  Then sprinkle the yeast evenly on top, give it a quick stir with a fork or dough hook to combine, and let the yeast activate for 5 minutes until it is foamy.
4. Add dry ingredients:  Add in 3 1/2 cups of flour and the salt.
5. Mix: Use the dough-hook to mix in the dry ingredients on medium-low speed until combined. If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add in 1/4 cup more flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is only slightly sticky to the touch. (Only use up to 4 cups of flour total.) Continue mixing on low speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth. Then form the dough into a ball with your hands and transfer it to a greased bowl.
6. Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a damp towel or paper towel, and let it rise briefly for 15 minutes.
7. Form the rolls: Gently punch the dough down and divide into 18 equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a ball and place the dough balls in the greased baking dish. Cover the dish again with a damp towel or paper towel and let the dough balls rise for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Bake: Uncover and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the rolls or until nicely browned on both the bottom and top; internal temp should read between 190 to 200°.
9. Finishing: Remove from oven and brush with more butter Transfer the baking dish to a wire cooling rack and brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.