What’s in this Parker House Rolls Recipe?
When it comes to bread rolls, these beautifully golden Parker House Rolls are just the best! Perfect from Easter to Christmas, they are uniquely shaped with a fold in the middle to slather in something sweet or savory – plus they are so easy to make!
Flour: Gives the rolls their structure. All-purpose flour works great. Yeast: Gives the rolls their rise. Instant yeast is faster-acting than active-dry yeast, which saves time. Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness. Salt: Brings flavor to the rolls. Flaky sea salt on top gives a bit of crunch and an extra salty flavor. Butter: Adds flavor and softness. Use unsalted butter for the best results. Milk: Enriches the dough and provides moisture. Whole milk adds additional fat for a richer dough, but you can use whatever milk you have on hand. Egg: Adds richness to the bread. Honey: An optional ingredient that adds a bit of sweetness and contrast.
Pro Tip: For chewier rolls, use bread flour instead of all-purpose.
Variations on Parker House Yeast Rolls
I love these rolls served with honey butter, but you could change up their flavor by instead serving them with garlic butter. Add some more flavor to the rolls themselves by brushing with butter and sprinkling with brown sugar and cinnamon or Parmesan and herbs. Or add a piece of your favorite cheese (like cheddar, mozzarella, or brie) in the center of each roll for a creamy surprise!
How to Make Ahead
To make Parker House rolls 1 day ahead, follow the recipe through shaping the dough. Once shaped, place the rolls in the pan you plan to bake them in and place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake them (up to 24 hours). They will slowly rise in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake them, remove the rolls from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking and preheat the oven while they come to room temperature. Bake as directed.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Parker House rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat for 15-30 seconds in the microwave.
How to Freeze
You can freeze these rolls shaped, risen, or fully baked!
Shaped: Shape the rolls and place them on a baking sheet with space between them. Freeze for 8-12 hours, then transfer to a Ziplock bag and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 3-5 hours, until risen. Bake as directed. Risen: Let the rolls rise completely, then freeze in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature until soft, about 2 hours. Bake as directed. Fully Baked: Freeze fully-baked Parker House rolls in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 2 hours and reheat before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These make for a super satisfying appetizer or side dish, they play well with a multitude of mains, such as Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham, Prime Rib Roast, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey, or Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb. Perfect for sharing, these rolls brighten up any holiday table!
More Dinner Roll Recipes We Love
Homemade Dinner Rolls Hawaiian Rolls Naan Rolls Texas Roadhouse rolls Homemade Crescent Rolls Sweet Potato Rolls Garlic Pull Apart Rolls Make Ahead Yeast Rolls
