Chris’s Dinner Rolls – The Irish Baker Abroad
If you love traditional Irish baking, these soft and buttery dinner rolls from Chris are a must-try. This no knead enriched dough recipe is simple to make and perfect for sharing at the dinner table.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Metric | Imperial / US Cups |
|---|---|---|
| Warm milk | 250 ml | 1 cup |
| Instant dry yeast | 7 g | 2 ½ tsp |
| Fresh yeast (optional) | 20 g | – |
| Egg | 1 | 1 |
| Melted butter | 60 g | ½ stick |
| Sugar | 20 g | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | 6 g | 1 tsp |
| Plain flour | 400 g | 3 ⅓ cups |
Method
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Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix to form a dough. On a floured surface, gently knead and shape into a round ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl or container. Cover and put it in a warm place to double in size. Proofing in a warm environment is especially important in winter.
Once doubled in size, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a round ball. Lightly grease a 20 x 30 cm rectangular pan and place the rolls inside. (This is the same pan used in Chris’s Gur, Carrot Cake, and Banana Cake videos.)
Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise until nearly doubled in size. Just before baking, brush the tops with melted butter.
Bake the rolls at 180°C (356°F) for 25 minutes. If using a fan oven, reduce the temperature to 160°C (320°F). For gas ovens, use gas mark 4.
Once baked, brush the rolls again with melted butter for a beautiful shine and extra flavour. Enjoy warm!
Note: Although dry yeast was used here, fresh yeast is preferred for best results. This is a no knead enriched dough that takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to double in size. You can add a little more yeast to speed up fermentation if desired.
How to Store Chris’s Dinner Rolls
Store the rolls in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, place them in a bread box or a paper bag to maintain their soft texture.
Can You Freeze Chris’s Dinner Rolls?
Yes, these dinner rolls freeze very well. Once completely cooled, wrap them individually or in a batch tightly in cling film and place in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in the oven.
Why Are My Dinner Rolls Dense?
If your dinner rolls turn out dense, it is often due to insufficient proofing time or yeast activity. Ensure the dough doubles in size fully before baking and use fresh, active yeast. Also, avoid adding too much flour when shaping, as this can make the rolls heavy.
All the best,
Chris – Your Irish Baker Abroad
Experience Authentic Irish Food in Person
Learn to bake authentic Irish scones and bread in a local home in Galway. This is a wonderful way to connect with Irish food culture and bring a real skill home with you.
Book: Traditional Irish Homemade Baking Scones and Bread class in Galway
For more delicious Irish baking inspiration, check out our Irish soda bread recipe and classic Irish soda scones. You might also enjoy Chris’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread and Chris’s Guinness Bread recipes.
For hearty Irish meal ideas, try the traditional Irish stew recipe or the Dublin Coddle recipe. These pair beautifully with fresh homemade bread.
Explore more about traditional Irish cooking and the rich food culture that makes Ireland such a special place for food lovers.
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