Q1: Why didn't my rolls rise?

The two most common culprits for rolls that don't rise are dead yeast or a room that is too cold. Always check that your yeast becomes foamy and bubbly when you proof it in warm water—this is the sign that it is alive and active! Yeast also loves a warm environment, so be sure to let your dough rise in a cozy, draft-free spot.

Q2: Can I make these ahead of time for a holiday dinner?

Yes, absolutely! The best method is to freeze the fully baked rolls. When you are ready for your dinner, you can simply reheat them from frozen in a foil-wrapped packet in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes. They will taste just as fresh and fluffy as the day you baked them!

Q3: Can I make these without a stand mixer?

Yes! You can absolutely mix and knead this dough by hand. It will just require a bit more arm muscle! Simply mix the ingredients together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, and then turn the shaggy dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.

Q4: My rolls are dense, not fluffy. What happened?

Dense rolls are usually the result of one of two things: the dough was under-proofed (it didn't get a chance to rise long enough to become light and airy), or too much flour was added, which can make the dough heavy.

Q5: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! If you are using instant yeast, you can typically skip the initial "proofing" step and simply mix the yeast in with your dry ingredients.

Fluffy Parker House Rolls (An Easy Holiday Classic!)

A classic recipe for the ‘Best Ever Parker House Rolls,’ a quintessential American dinner roll known for its soft, fluffy, and buttery texture. This from-scratch recipe involves making an enriched yeast dough with milk, butter, and eggs. The dough goes through two rises to develop a light, airy texture, is shaped into small balls, and baked in a pan until golden brown. The rolls are brushed with melted butter both before and after baking for an extra rich flavor and a beautiful shine, making them a perfect accompaniment for a holiday meal.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups whole milk
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, divided
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F)
One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Nonstick cooking spray
Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling

Instructions

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 stick of the butter and the sugar until melted. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
In a small bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the cooled milk mixture, the yeast mixture, the eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and half of the flour. Mix on medium speed until smooth.
Slowly add the remaining flour, mixing until a smooth ball forms. Increase the speed to medium-high and knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it is very smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a large bowl coated with nonstick cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 60 to 75 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Melt the remaining 1 stick of butter. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and shape each into a small ball.
Place the dough balls in the prepared baking dish in rows of 4 by 6. Brush the tops with half of the melted butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, until almost doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove the plastic wrap, sprinkle the rolls lightly with flaky sea salt, and bake for about 40 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush with the remaining melted butter. Serve warm.

Notes

This is a classic American dinner roll, famous for its incredibly soft, pillowy texture and rich, buttery flavor.
The two separate rising times are crucial for developing the light and airy texture of the rolls.
Brushing the rolls with melted butter both before and after baking is a signature step that makes them extra delicious and gives them a beautiful sheen.
These rolls are perfect for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
The article references a ‘Cook’s Note’ that is not provided in the text.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/fluffy-parker-house-rolls-2/