Chicken Free Classic Yeast Rolls

Total time2 hr 30 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time20 min

4.5

(6)

Soft, pillowy, and golden on top with that irresistible pull-apart quality — these classic yeast rolls are the kind of thing that disappears from the table before everything else is even served. The dough comes together with whole milk, butter, egg, and a touch of sugar, giving each roll a tender, slightly rich crumb that's just as good plain as it is alongside a big holiday spread. Adding the softened butter gradually during kneading is the move that makes the texture so luxuriously smooth, and that double brush of melted butter — before and after baking — is what gives the tops that glossy, bakery-worthy finish. There's no poultry or meat anywhere near this recipe, so if you're navigating a kitchen that needs to stay completely clear of it, this is a genuinely satisfying bake to reach for. The ingredients are pantry staples, the process is straightforward, and the results are the kind of homemade bread that makes people ask if you went to culinary school.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the dough

1 cup whole milk
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
3 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp fine salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

For brushing

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1
Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches 105–110°F (40–43°C) on a kitchen thermometer — warm to the touch but not hot. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer, sprinkle the yeast and 1 tbsp of the sugar over the surface, and let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
2
Add the remaining 2 tbsp sugar, the salt, and the egg to the yeast mixture. Add the flour and mix on low speed with the dough hook until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes.

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