Soft Amish Dinner Rolls (Old-Fashioned, Fluffy & Buttery)

Introduction

Soft Amish Dinner Rolls are a timeless classic rooted in traditional Amish baking, where simplicity, patience, and high-quality ingredients create exceptionally tender bread. These rolls are known for their cloud-like texture, lightly sweet flavor, and buttery richness. Served warm, they are perfect for holidays, family dinners, potlucks, and everyday meals.

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What Are Amish Dinner Rolls?

Amish dinner rolls are soft yeast rolls traditionally made with milk, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. Unlike crusty artisan breads, these rolls focus on tenderness, moisture, and subtle sweetness. The Amish baking tradition emphasizes hand-mixed doughs, slow rising, and generous enrichment, resulting in rolls that stay soft for days.

These rolls are typically baked close together so they rise upward instead of spreading outward, producing tall, pillowy rolls with tender sides.

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Why You’ll Love These Soft Amish Dinner Rolls

• Extremely soft and fluffy interior
• Lightly sweet, buttery flavor
• Perfect for holidays and special occasions
• Freezer-friendly and make-ahead friendly
• Ideal for sandwiches, sliders, or dinner service

Once you bake them from scratch, these rolls quickly become a staple recipe.

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Key Ingredients and Their Purpose

Understanding each ingredient helps guarantee consistent results.

Core Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure while remaining tender
• Milk: Adds richness and softness
• Butter: Enhances flavor and creates a soft crumb
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds mild sweetness
• Eggs: Improve texture, color, and richness
• Yeast: Provides lift and airy structure
• Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten

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The Science Behind Ultra-Soft Rolls

Amish dinner rolls rely on enriched dough, meaning fat, sugar, and eggs are added to inhibit excessive gluten development. This results in a tender crumb rather than a chewy one. Proper kneading develops just enough gluten for structure, while multiple rises allow yeast to create a fine, even crumb.

Baking the rolls close together traps steam, further enhancing softness.

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Equipment You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Dough scraper (optional)
• 9×13-inch baking dish or sheet pan
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
• Pastry brush

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Soft Amish Dinner Rolls Recipe

Ingredients (Makes 15–18 Rolls)

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp salt
• 3½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• Extra melted butter for brushing

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Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

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Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Stir in melted butter, egg, and salt until well combined.

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Step 3: Incorporate the Flour

Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.

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Step 4: Knead the Dough

Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes or with a mixer for 5–6 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.

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Step 5: First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours or until doubled in size.

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Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Punch down dough and divide into equal portions. Shape into smooth balls and place close together in a greased baking dish.

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Step 7: Second Rise

Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy and touching.

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Step 8: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes, until lightly golden on top.

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Step 9: Butter and Cool

Brush warm rolls generously with melted butter. Cool slightly before serving.

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Tips for Perfect Amish Dinner Rolls

• Do not add too much flour; soft dough equals soft rolls
• Use room-temperature ingredients
• Allow full rising time for best texture
• Brush with butter immediately after baking

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-kneading the dough
• Killing yeast with overly hot milk
• Skipping the second rise
• Baking until overly brown

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Variations and Add-Ins

Honey Amish Rolls

Replace sugar with honey for deeper flavor.

Whole Wheat Amish Rolls

Substitute half the flour with whole wheat and add extra milk.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Brush with garlic butter after baking.

Slider Rolls

Shape smaller rolls for sandwiches and sliders.

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Serving Ideas

• Holiday dinners (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter)
• Weeknight family meals
• Sandwiches and sliders
• Served with soups and stews

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Storage and Freezing

• Room temperature: 2–3 days in airtight container
• Refrigeration: Not recommended (dries rolls)
• Freezing: Up to 3 months; thaw and reheat gently

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Nutritional Information (Approximate per Roll)

• Calories: 160
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Protein: 4 g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my rolls dense?

Insufficient rising time or too much flour can cause density.

Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes. Refrigerate overnight after the first rise.

Can I use instant yeast?

Yes. Skip activation and mix directly with dry ingredients.

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Why Amish Dinner Rolls Never Go Out of Style

These rolls embody comfort, tradition, and homemade quality. Their soft texture and gentle sweetness make them universally appealing and suitable for nearly any meal.

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Final Thoughts

Soft Amish Dinner Rolls are a perfect example of how simple ingredients and traditional techniques can create extraordinary results. Whether you bake them for a holiday feast or a casual dinner, these rolls deliver unmatched softness and flavor.

Once you try them, they are sure to become a cherished recipe in your kitchen.

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