Parker House Rolls
There’s something magical about the warm aroma of Parker House Rolls rising in the oven. My kitchen transforms into a cozy haven, reminding me of rainy afternoons spent with family, where these golden brown, buttery treats brought comfort and joy to our gatherings.
To reach that soft, fluffy roll perfection, it’s all about activating the yeast in warm milk for a consistent rise that results in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients That Make Parker House Rolls amazing
- Whole Milk: Warmed to 110°F, it sets the stage for yeast activation, ensuring our rolls are airy and light.
- Active Dry Yeast: The magic maker, it breathes life into the dough, creating those heavenly pillows of softness.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Its rich, creamy flavor enhances the dough, making these rolls delightful.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right sweetness, divided to aid the yeast and balance the dough’s flavors.
- Fine Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor, balancing sweetness and letting other ingredients shine.
- Large Egg and Egg Yolk: They add richness and a tender crumb, giving the rolls their signature soft texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, absorbing all that buttery goodness.
- Key Technique: Yeast Activation: Combining yeast with warm milk ensures a light, fluffy texture, making each bite cloud-like.
- More Softened Butter (for brushing): Adds a beautiful sheen and an extra layer of yumminess.
Every ingredient here works together to craft that combination of soft, buttery, slightly sweet rolls. I can still picture them, golden brown and glistening with butter—perfect for any gathering.
Let’s Make Parker House Rolls!
Creating these Parker House Rolls is a rewarding experience that brings warmth and comfort to your home in just about two hours. Let’s dive into the process and fill your kitchen with that wonderful aroma!
- Activate Yeast:
Combine the yeast, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and warm milk (110°F) in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Gently whisk until mixed, and let it stand for about 5 minutes until you see a foamy surface forming. It should have a slightly sweet, yeasty smell. - Mix Dough Base:
Add 2 ½ cups of flour, salt, 6 tablespoons of butter, the remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk to the bowl. Set your mixer with the paddle attachment to the lowest speed and mix until incorporated, scraping the sides if needed. Increase to medium-low speed and continue for 2 minutes. You’ll notice a soft, combined mass. - Knead the Dough:
Switch to the dough hook, add ½ cup flour, and knead on the lowest speed, then medium-low for 2 minutes. The dough should begin pulling from the sides but slightly stick to the bottom. Repeat with another ½ cup of flour, ensuring the dough is soft and elastic. - Rise the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a draft-free space until it’s doubled—about 45 to 90 minutes. It should feel pillowy and light. - Shape the Rolls:
Punch down the dough gently, divide it in half, and transfer to a very lightly floured surface. Roll each half into an 8” x 12” rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons of softened butter, fold and cut as instructed above. - Second Rise:
Arrange the rolls, folded side down, in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise until puffy, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. - Bake the Rolls:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the rolls are golden and set, about 20–25 minutes, they’re ready. The butter should be gently sizzling and the tops gloriously gleaming. - Finish and Serve:
Brush them with the remaining softened butter. The rolls will feel wonderfully soft with a golden crust. Pull them apart and serve warm.
With your Parker House Rolls ready to enjoy, gather your loved ones for that perfect homey experience. Happy baking!
Roll with a Twist: Creative Variations
There’s something comforting about making these rolls your own. With a few tweaks, you can easily infuse some variety while sticking to the recipe’s core.
- Quick Rise Magic: Swap active dry yeast for rapid rise yeast. This trick cuts down the rise time, and there’s no need to let the yeast sit in the milk. Perfect for when you’re in a pinch but still crave that bread-baking goodness.
- Herb-Infused Bliss: Before brushing the dough, mix in a few finely chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme with the softened butter. This simple touch adds a savory depth that pairs beautifully with roasted meats or soups.
- Garlic Butter Surprise: Blend a bit of minced garlic into the butter before brushing it onto the rolls. The warm, aromatic garlic elevates the rolls and makes them an amazing side dish for any meal.
- Sweet and Spiced: Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a hint of sweetness and warmth. These spiced rolls can transform your breakfast or brunch spread, offering a cozy, inviting flavor.
Try these variations and let your creativity rise alongside the dough!
Keeping that Buttery Bliss Fresh
To keep the magic of Parker House Rolls alive, you’ll want to store any leftovers with care. Once completely cooled—an essential step to prevent condensation from making them soggy—place your rolls in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, these rolls freeze beautifully! Just seal them tightly in freezer-safe bags, and they’ll be good for up to a month.
When it’s time to enjoy them again, gently reheat your rolls in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. This method helps retain that soft texture without drying them out. To give them a little extra love, brush on a touch more softened butter as soon as they come out of the oven. They’ll be just as enticing as the day you baked them, ready to accompany any meal or shine as a standalone treat.
Perfect Pairings for Parker House Rolls
The aroma of freshly baked Parker House Rolls is utterly inviting, conjuring memories of comforting family meals. Their buttery, soft texture makes them the perfect canvas for a variety of delightful accompaniments.
Sides to improve Your Meal
- Creamy Tomato Soup: The tangy richness of the tomatoes complements the subtle sweetness of the rolls, creating that classic comfort food duo.
- Hearty Beef Stew: The deep, savory notes of a slow-cooked stew enhance the buttery taste of the rolls, each bite offering a warm, satisfying contrast.
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Pairing with these ultra-creamy potatoes brings out the milk and butter flavors in the rolls, enveloping you in coziness.
Garnishes & Toppings to Enhance Flavor
- Herbed Butter: Infuse some softened butter with your favorite herbs, like rosemary or thyme, to add a fragrant touch as you brush it over the fresh-from-the-oven rolls.
- Honey Drizzle: A light drizzle of honey accentuates the rolls’ subtle sweetness, offering a delightful balance of flavors.
- Sea Salt Flakes: Sprinkling a few flakes over the brushed butter creates a contrast that not only highlights the buttery richness but also adds a satisfying crunch.
These Parker House Rolls are more than sides—they’re the essence of home-baked comfort. How do you envision serving them at your table? What would be the perfect pairing for a warm evening in your cozy kitchen?
Parker House Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Combine yeast, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and warm milk in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Gently whisk together to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add 2 ½ cups of flour, salt, butter, remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, egg and egg yolk. Attach the paddle attachment and turn the mixer to the lowest speed and mix until ingredients are incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Increase the speed to medium low and continue to mix for 2 minutes.
- Change the attachment to the dough hook, add ½ cup flour and incorporate the flour at the lowest speed, increasing to medium low when the flour is mostly incorporated, mixing for a total of 2 minutes.
- And another ½ cup flour and repeat, mixing at medium speed for another 2 minutes until a ball of dough is formed. Add additional flour as necessary, a couple tablespoons at a time.The dough should be sticky and soft and pulling away from the edge of the bowl but still sticking to the bottom of the bowl. The rule of thumb with bread and rolls is to add the LEAST amount of flour possible and still be able to handle the dough. Flour your hands or lightly grease if necessary.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl (I simply sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature in a draft free space until doubled in size, about 45 to 90 minutes.
- Remove the towel or plastic wrap and punch the dough down gently.
- Divide your dough in half and transfer to a very lightly floured surface.We want to add very minimal flour to the rolls.
- Roll or pat out the dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 8” x 12” (a piece of printer paper is 81/2 x 11 so I use that as a guide.).
- Brush the dough all over with 2 tablespoons of the softened butter, a light coating, much like you would do for cinnamon rolls. I like to use softened instead of melted butter so it makes less of a mess. If you have a hard time brushing on your butter, it’s likely not quite soft enough so put it in the microwave for a couple of seconds until it’s so soft it’s almost melting.
- Cut the dough in half lengthwise so you have two 4" x 12" rectangles. Fold one rectangle lengthwise so it almost meets the other edge but not quite. You want about 1/2" of the other edge showing. The rectangle should now be roughly 2 1/4" x 12". Repeat with the other rectangle.
- Cut each of the rectangles in half and then in half again so you have (4) 3" pieces, Repeat for the other rectangle (you’ll now have 8 rolls cut).
- Turn the rolls over and place the rolls with the folded side down in a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish, four in a row, with the longer sides matching the longer side of the baking dish. (Refer to video or post above if needed.)
- Repeat the entire process with the second half of the dough. You should have 16 rolls in all.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or a light towel and let the rolls rise until not quite doubled in size but nice and puffy, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. As you see the rolls getting close to ready, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove the towel or plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until they're golden brown and feel set.
- Remove them from the oven, and brush with the remaining softened butter. Pull them apart to serve.
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