If you’ve ever been to Texas Roadhouse, you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say their rolls are out of this world. The soft, pillowy texture, the slight sweetness, and the way they melt in your mouth are enough to make you want to order a whole basket just for yourself. Well, today I’m sharing my version of those famous Texas Roadhouse Rolls so you can enjoy them at home whenever you want. Trust me, these rolls will quickly become a family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These homemade Texas Roadhouse Rolls are everything. They’re warm, buttery, and sweet with just the right amount of softness. The best part? They’re so easy to make, especially when you let the dough rise in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish at dinner or enjoying them fresh out of the oven with a little honey butter, these rolls are guaranteed to impress. Plus, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your house is enough to make anyone hungry!
Ingredients (Full list of ingredients below!)
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistibly soft and sweet rolls:
- Warm milk
- Active dry yeast
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
These simple ingredients come together to make the perfect dough. The full list of ingredients is below, but I promise you don’t need anything fancy to make these rolls work.
Directions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
To start, heat up the milk until it’s warm but not too hot—about 110°F (you can test it with your finger). Sprinkle the active dry yeast and sugar over the warm milk and stir it gently. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. This step ensures the yeast is alive and will make your rolls rise perfectly!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the flour along with the melted butter and eggs. Stir everything together until the dough begins to form. You may need to add a little more flour (a tablespoon at a time) if the dough is too sticky, but be careful not to add too much—this dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. This is the part that makes the rolls soft and fluffy, so take your time with it. If the dough is too sticky, you can sprinkle it with a bit more flour, but don’t overdo it.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. The dough is ready when you can gently poke it with your finger, and the indentation remains.
Step 5: Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure they’re close together but not touching.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the rolls with the kitchen towel again and let them rise for another 30 minutes. They’ll puff up and get nice and fluffy.
Step 7: Bake the Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, pop them into the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top. Your kitchen will smell amazing while they bake!
Step 8: Butter the Rolls
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with melted butter. You can even sprinkle a little bit of extra sugar over the top for that signature sweet touch.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these warm, buttery rolls with honey butter, or just enjoy them straight out of the pan. Trust me, they’ll disappear quickly!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing them into the dough. This helps everything come together more smoothly and allows for better rise.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: When you’re stirring the dough, you just want to bring everything together. Overmixing can make the rolls tough, so once the dough is combined, don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth yet. Kneading will do the rest.
- Use a Warm Place for Rising: If your kitchen is on the colder side, place the dough in an oven that’s turned off but with the light on. This creates a warm, draft-free environment that helps the dough rise faster.
- Give the Rolls Room to Rise: For light and fluffy rolls, don’t crowd them too much in the pan. Make sure they have room to grow during the second rise.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Garlic Rolls: Brush the rolls with garlic butter instead of regular butter for a savory twist. You can also sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top for extra flavor.
- Add Herbs: Add a little rosemary or thyme to the dough for an herby flavor. This would pair perfectly with a roasted chicken dinner.
- Whole Wheat Version: If you’d like to make these a bit healthier, you can substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Just be aware that the texture will be a little denser.
- Add Cinnamon: For a sweet version, sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar in the dough when you shape the rolls. These would be perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Texas Roadhouse Rolls are perfect with any meal. Serve them alongside a juicy steak, roasted chicken, or even a big salad. They’re great for soaking up gravy, soup, or any sauce you’re serving. And don’t forget to make a big batch of honey butter to slather on top—it makes these rolls even more irresistible!
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have any leftover rolls (which is a big “if” in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds. They’ll stay soft and fluffy, ready to enjoy again!
4 FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can! After the first rise, punch the dough down, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let it come to room temperature and go through the second rise before baking.
2. Can I freeze these rolls?
Absolutely! Once the rolls are shaped, you can freeze them on a baking sheet before the second rise. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, let them thaw, then proceed with the second rise and bake as usual.
3. What can I substitute for active dry yeast?
You can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast, and the process will be similar. Just sprinkle it directly into the dry ingredients, and you won’t need to activate it in warm milk.
4. Can I use this recipe for dinner rolls?
Yes, this recipe works perfectly for dinner rolls. Simply shape them smaller and adjust the baking time to 12-15 minutes, depending on their size.
Conclusion
These homemade Texas Roadhouse Rolls are everything you love about the restaurant version, but even better when they’re fresh out of your oven. Soft, buttery, sweet, and perfect for any meal, these rolls are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cozy dinner or serving them for a special occasion, they’re always a crowd-pleaser. Once you try these, you’ll never look at store-bought rolls the same way again!
Print
Texas Roadhouse Rolls: Soft, Buttery, and Perfectly Sweet
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (not including rise time)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These homemade Texas Roadhouse Rolls are soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect for serving alongside dinner, or enjoying warm with honey butter, they’ll quickly become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- Melted butter (for brushing on top)
- Optional: Extra sugar (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Heat milk until it’s warm (about 110°F). Stir in yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until the dough begins to form, adding more flour if too sticky.
- Knead the Dough: Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover rolls and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Butter the Rolls: Brush with melted butter and sprinkle extra sugar for sweetness.
- Serve: Serve warm with honey butter.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the butter and eggs come to room temperature for a smoother dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix until the dough comes together, but don’t overwork it to avoid tough rolls.
- Use a Warm Place for Rising: If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in the oven with the light on.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg