Parker House Rolls

This recipe for homemade Parker House Rolls is incredible. It results in soft and pillowy buttery rolls that make the perfect side dish to any meal. 

Ingredients to Make Parker House Rolls Recipe

There’s nothing more heavenly than the smell of fresh homemade bread baking in the oven and everyone needs a homemade yeast roll recipe. The ingredients for this homemade dinner rolls recipe are incredibly easy to pull together and the bread dough is easy to work with. Don’t be intimidated using yeast, I’ll walk you through the whole process step-by-step to ensure your bread making success! Ingredients to make Southern Parker House Rolls from scratch: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour forms the base of the bread dough.
• Yeast – Rapid Rise yeast mixed with lukewarm water.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Butter – Cubed salted butter adds richness to the dough plus melted butter for brushing the tops.
• Liquid – Room temperature whole milk.
• Salt – Adds flavor to the dough.
• Whole Eggs – Room temperature eggs will combine with the dough seamlessly.

How to Make the BEST Parker House Rolls Recipe

• Bloom Yeast – Mix together 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast with warm water. Let stand until mixture is foamy.
• Melt together Butter and Sugar with Milk – In a small saucepan on the stovetop melt together butter and sugar with milk. Cook over medium, stir occasionally, just until the edges begin to bubble. Remove from heat add remaining milk then pour into the bowl of a stand mixer. Let cool slightly.
• Add Yeast Mixture – Add the yeast mixture to the bowl mixing with the dough hook on low speed.
• Combine – Add flour, salt and eggs to the stand mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook. Beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute then increase the speed of the mixer beating on medium speed for 6-8 minutes or just until dough forms and it becomes smooth and elastic. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if sticky.
• Let Dough Rise – Coat a large bowl with cooking spray or brush with oil then place dough into prepared bowl. Cover, and let rise in a warm draft free place until doubled in size, about 60-90 minutes.
• Melt Butter – In a small bowl, melt the reserved 1/3 cup butter in the microwave in about 20-30 seconds.
• Butter Pan – Brush some of the butter on bottom and up sides of a 13×9-inch baking pan reserve the remaining melted butter for brushing the rolls.
• Shape Dough into a Rectangle – Turn dough out onto a lightly counter. Punch dough down and press into a rectangle. Trim edges with pizza wheel or knife to create an even rectangle.
• Strips – Cut dough lengthwise to create 4 rectangular strips. Brush tops of rectangles evenly with some of the reserved melted butter.
• Stack Strips – Carefully stack 2 of the rectangles each on top of another rectangle, creating 2 double-stacked strips.
• Divide the Dough – Cut each strip crosswise into 12 even pieces and place into the prepared baking pan, cut sides facing edges of baking pan.
• Let Rise – Cover baking pan with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until puffed and almost doubled.
• Oven – Brush tops of the rolls with remaining melted butter, reserving some for brushing after baking. Bake per the recipe until golden-brown.
• Serve – Let cool in baking pan 10 minutes then brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter. Serve Southern rolls warm.

Tips for Making Southern Parker House Rolls

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Stand mixer, two medium bowls, one large bowl, small microwave safe bowl, small saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, 13×9-inch baking pan and pastry brush.
• The Amount of Flour May Vary Slightly: When making this recipe, I used exactly 5 cups of flour in the dough. Using this amount, the dough was a bit sticky but not unreasonably so. Keep in mind the environment can change the outcome and a bit more may be needed.
• Use Fresh Yeast: Check the date on the yeast. If when blooming the yeast it doesn’t froth or react, throw it out and start again. You can also use active dry yeast. The difference is, the dough may take longer to rise.
• How Warm is Lukewarm Water? When referencing lukewarm water shoot for around 112°F with an instant read thermometer.
• Coating the Dough with Flour Prevents Sticking: When turning out the dough onto a lightly floured counter surface, turn it to coat in a small amount of flour and the stickiness will subside. You shouldn’t need to change the amount of flour in any way. The recipe is perfect as it is.
• Can I Knead the Dough by Hand? A stand mixer fitted with a dough hook makes light work of kneading the dough. You can also knead the dough by hand. When kneading by hand, if will take a few minutes longer than the recipe calls for to reach the desired texture and elasticity.
• Use a Large Bowl: It’s important to use a very large bowl for proofing the dough to prevent spill over. 

Recipe Variations

• Cheese: A variation you could try, is to sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on a second batch just before baking. Serve them with your favorite Italian main dishes or alongside an entree salad.
• Herbs: You could add dried or fresh rosemary to the dough. You could also brush the tops of the rolls with garlic butter mixed with fresh parsley or chives just before serving to change the flavor profile.
• Honey: You could brush the tops of the rolls with honey butter.
• Yeast: I used Fleischmann’s Rapid Rise Yeast, but there are other brands that will work well to make these southern rolls.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store Parker House Rolls wrapped in foil or an airtight container at room temperature or chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat southern butter yeast rolls in single servings gently in the microwave.
• Freeze Storage: Store baked rolls wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat.
• Freezing Unbaked Dough: You can also freeze these homemade yeast rolls prior to the second rise. Place the entire pan into the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw on the counter covered loosely covered with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray or a kitchen towel, to prevent sticking. Thaw for at least 2 hours and let the rolls rise, then proceed with the recipe for brushing with butter and baking the rolls.

More Bread and Rolls Recipes to Make

• Treat the family to homemade Focaccia.
• This recipe for Garlic Parmesan Pull Apart Bread is a fan favorite.
• My recipe for Challah Bread is rich and makes the best sandwiches and french toast!
• These easy Garlic Knots don’t require any bread making at all.
• Make your own Hawaiian Yeast Rolls.
• My recipe for Fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits is the only one you’ll ever need.
• Sweet Pull Apart Cinnamon Sugar Breadsticks.
• Rye Bread from The Food Charlatan.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stand Mixer
• 13×9 inch Baking Dish
• Pastry Brushes
• Measuring Set