Why You’ll Love Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe
These rolls deliver everything you want from homemade dinner bread: a pillowy interior, golden exterior, rich buttery flavor, and just enough sweetness from honey.
The dough is straightforward and requires only a short initial rest before shaping. Using rapid-rise yeast also helps reduce the waiting time typically associated with homemade yeast rolls.
Honey appears in both the dough and the finishing butter, creating a subtle sweetness without turning the rolls into dessert. Flaky sea salt on top provides a savory contrast that makes the honey butter even more flavorful.
They are also excellent for entertaining because the rolls can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. That makes them particularly convenient for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other occasions when oven and preparation time are valuable.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional flour if needed
- 1 packet rapid-rise yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup warm whole milk
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
For the Honey Butter
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
Directions
- Add the all-purpose flour, rapid-rise yeast, and kosher salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir briefly to distribute the yeast and salt evenly.
- Pour in the warm whole milk and add the honey, room-temperature egg, and softened salted butter. Fit the mixer with a dough hook and knead for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, or until everything comes together into a smooth dough. If the dough remains excessively sticky, gradually incorporate a little additional flour.
- Cover the mixing bowl and allow the dough to rest at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the honey butter by stirring the melted salted butter and honey together until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Dust a clean work surface lightly with flour. Transfer the rested dough to the surface, gently deflate it, and divide it into two equal portions.
- Roll each portion into approximately a 12-inch square about 1/4 inch thick.
- Brush the surfaces of the dough with some of the prepared honey butter, reserving enough to brush over the baked rolls.
- Cut each square into 6 strips, creating 12 strips altogether. Roll each strip into a snug coil and arrange the rolls seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish and leave the shaped rolls in a warm place for approximately 30 minutes, or until noticeably puffed.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18 to 25 minutes. The rolls are ready when risen and beautifully golden on top.
- Remove them from the oven and immediately brush the warm rolls with the remaining honey butter. Finish with flaky sea salt and serve while warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 12 rolls.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rising and resting time: approximately 45 minutes
Cook time: approximately 20 minutes
Total time: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
For the best texture, allow enough time for the shaped rolls to become visibly puffy before baking rather than relying exclusively on the clock. A cooler kitchen can make yeast dough rise more slowly.
Variations
Garlic Honey Butter Rolls
Add one finely grated garlic clove or a small amount of garlic powder to the melted honey butter. The combination creates rolls that are sweet, savory, and particularly good alongside roasted chicken or pasta.
Herb Butter Rolls
Mix finely chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, or parsley into the honey butter before brushing it onto the dough. Fresh herbs make the rolls especially suitable for holiday dinners.
Cinnamon Honey Rolls
For a sweeter variation, sprinkle the buttered dough with cinnamon and a little brown sugar before rolling the strips into coils. Finish with honey butter but omit the flaky sea salt if you prefer a dessert-style roll.
Unsalted Butter Version
Unsalted butter can be substituted for salted butter. Add a small additional pinch of salt to the dough and season the honey butter according to taste.
Active Dry Yeast
Rapid-rise yeast can be replaced with active dry yeast. Activate the yeast first in the warm milk with the honey until it becomes foamy, usually about 5 to 10 minutes. Then continue preparing the dough. Rising times may be slightly longer.
Storage/Reheating
Allow leftover rolls to cool completely before storing them. Keep them in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature for about 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for several days, although refrigeration can make bread dry more quickly.
To reheat several rolls, place them in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through. Brushing them with a small amount of butter before reheating helps restore their soft texture.
Individual rolls can also be reheated briefly in the microwave. Cover the roll with a slightly damp paper towel and heat just until warm to prevent it from becoming tough.
For longer storage, freeze completely cooled baked rolls in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
The unbaked rolls can also be prepared ahead. Shape and arrange them in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
FAQs
Can I make Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare and shape the rolls, arrange them in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight before their final rise. When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let the rolls sit at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before baking.
How do I know when the rolls have risen enough?
The rolls should look noticeably larger, soft, and puffy. If your kitchen is cool, they may require more than 30 minutes. Yeast dough responds to temperature, so appearance is often a better indicator than an exact rising time.
Why didn’t my rolls rise?
Inactive or expired yeast is one possible reason. Milk that is too hot can also damage yeast, while very cold ingredients or a cool room can significantly slow fermentation. Make sure the yeast is fresh and the milk is pleasantly warm rather than hot.
Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?
Yes. Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and then knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface. Continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It requires a little more effort but produces excellent results.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of rapid-rise yeast?
Yes. Stir the active dry yeast into the warm milk and honey first and leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy. Then combine it with the remaining dough ingredients. Allow extra rising time if necessary.
Why is my dough sticky?
A slightly tacky dough is normal and helps create soft rolls. If the dough is so sticky that it cannot be handled, add flour gradually, a tablespoon at a time. Avoid adding too much because excessive flour can produce dense, dry rolls.
Can I freeze the rolls before baking?
Yes. Shape the rolls and allow them to rise before freezing the covered baking dish. They can be frozen for up to about 3 months. Thaw them thoroughly before baking according to the recipe.
Can I freeze the rolls after baking?
Absolutely. Let the baked rolls cool completely, wrap them securely, and freeze for up to approximately 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.
What should I serve with honey butter Parker House rolls?
These rolls work beautifully with roast chicken, turkey, beef, soups, stews, and holiday side dishes. Their soft texture also makes them excellent for soaking up gravy or sauces.
Can I leave off the flaky sea salt?
Yes. The flaky salt adds a pleasant savory contrast to the sweet honey butter, but it isn’t essential. You can omit it entirely or use just a very light sprinkling if you prefer a sweeter roll.
Conclusion
Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls combine the comfort of freshly baked bread with the irresistible flavors of butter, honey, and sea salt. Their fluffy centers and golden, honey-buttered tops make them impressive enough for a holiday table while remaining simple enough for an everyday family dinner.
The ability to prepare them ahead also makes this recipe particularly convenient when entertaining. Serve the rolls warm from the oven with an extra swipe of honey butter, and they’re likely to disappear quickly.
Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls
Soft, fluffy Parker House rolls brushed with a sweet and salty honey butter. These buttery pull-apart rolls are perfect for holiday dinners and cozy family meals.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Flaky sea salt, for serving
Instructions
- Warm the milk until comfortably warm but not hot. Add the yeast and honey, stir, and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the eggs, melted butter, flour, and kosher salt. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Grease a baking dish with butter. Divide the dough into evenly sized portions and shape into rolls. Arrange the rolls in the prepared dish.
- Cover and let the rolls rise again until puffy, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls until puffed and golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Mix the softened salted butter with the honey. Brush the warm rolls generously with the honey butter and finish with flaky sea salt. Serve warm.
Notes
- Add flour gradually; the finished dough should be soft and slightly tacky rather than dry.
- For the fluffiest rolls, allow the dough to fully rise before shaping and again before baking.
- Serve the rolls warm with additional salted honey butter if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and gently rewarm before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
