The best light and fluffy holiday dinner rolls

by Janette on November 2, 2025

Nothing says “holiday feast” like a basket of warm, homemade dinner rolls. These light and fluffy rolls are golden on the outside, soft on the inside, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve them to soak up every drop of gravy!

1. Gather Your Ingredients

2 teaspoons instant dry yeast, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 1 cup (240 ml) milk, warmed to 100-110 °F (38-43°C), 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted (see note), 1 teaspoon salt, 2 large eggs, room temperature, 3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour/plain flour, plus more for kneading, 1 egg yolk, whisked with a little milk, sesame seeds.

2. Bloom the Yeast

To a small bowl, add half of the milk, all of the sugar and the yeast. Leave for 10 minutes.

3. Mix the Other Wet Ingredients

To another bowl, whisk the rest of the milk, butter, salt and eggs. Set aside.

4. Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, to a large bowl, then stir in all the yeast mix and egg and butter, until well combined.

5. Knead

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and not sticky.

6. First Rise

Place the dough into a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a towel and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Until doubled in size.

7. Punch the Dough Down

Once it has doubled in size. Use a fist to punch it down. Turn out onto a clean surface.

8. Divide the Dough

Cut the dough into 16 even balls. You can weigh them to make sure they are all the same size.

9. Second Rise

Place the dough balls onto a large, parchment-lined baking sheet fairly close to each other. Cover with a towel and allow to rise again for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.

10. Brush with Egg Yolk

Once risen, brush the tops with the egg yolk/milk mix. Bake in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack.