Parker House Rolls

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5 from 1 vote

Classic recipe for these delicious rolls!

Prep Time1

Cook Time25

Rising Times:2

Total Time3 25

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dinner rolls, parker house, rolls

Servings: rolls

Author: RecipeGirl.com

Ingredients

1¼ cups warm whole milk (110 degrees on an instant read thermometer)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
4¼ cups all purpose flour (plus more, as needed)
3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
2¼ teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (1 envelope or ¾ ounce)
1½ teaspoons salt
vegetable or canola oil, for greasing the bowl
extra melted butter, for brushing on rolls before and after baking

Instructions

In a 4-cup measuring cup, with a spout if you have it, combine the warmed milk, melted butter, and the egg. Whisk until blended.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Turn the mixer on low and slowly pour in the milk mixture and blend until a dough forms, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-low and mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. After 4 minutes of mixing you can add the additional flour if needed, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl but still sticks to the bottom. You may not need this additional flour depending on humidity, moisture in the butter, etc.
Scoop the dough out onto a lightly floured, clean work surface. Knead to form a smooth round ball of dough. Place the dough into a large, lightly oiled, clean bowl. Cover with a lightly sprayed piece of plastic wrap and place in a warm location to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1½ hours.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and have a pastry brush on hand.
Place the risen dough on a lightly floured work surface and divide into two equal parts. Place half the dough back in the bowl and cover with a clean dish towel. Working with the remaining half, pull and stretch the dough into a smooth and even 12-inch log. Cut the dough into 12 equal size pieces. Working with one dough ball at a time, roll into a smooth, tight ball using the palm of your hand. Cover the dough balls with the lightly greased plastic wrap while forming the rolls.
Use a small rolling pin or your hands to flatten each dough ball into an oval (about 4-inches long) with a depressed middle (higher on the sides). Lightly brush the center oval with melted butter, then fold in half to form the traditional Parker House roll shape. Press lightly on the edges to seal then transfer to a prepared baking sheet. The edges will not seal properly if buttered so try and keep the butter in the center of the oval. Repeat with the remaining dough balls spacing the rolls about 2-inches apart on the baking sheet. Cover the formed rolls with a lightly sprayed piece of plastic wrap and set aside in a warm location.
Repeat with the remaining dough, forming into a log, cutting into 12 equal sized pieces, etc. Set the second filled pan aside in a warm location to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1¼ hours. To test for proper rise, the dough should barely spring back when poked with a knuckle.
Adjust oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once risen, lightly brush the rolls with melted butter, and bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Switch and rotate the pans halfway through baking. Allow the rolls to cool, then serve warm brushed with additional melted butter if desired.

Notes

For this recipe you will need an instant read thermometer and a small rolling pin or dowel rod.
This recipe was made using Land-O-Lakes unsalted butter and has not been tested with other brands.
I use my microwave as a proofing oven. When the task light is on (under the microwave) the inside of the microwave stays warm and is free from drafts. It’s the perfect place to proof dough!
Make ahead instructions: Once the dough is made, do not let it rise. Refrigerate the dough ball overnight or up to 16 hours. When ready to bake, let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then continue with the remaining instructions for rising in step 3.
Unbaked, formed, fully risen rolls can be frozen for up to 1 month. Once frozen, transfer to a large ziplock bag for storage. To bake, remove the frozen rolls to a parchment lined baking sheet and allow them to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake. You may need to increase baking time to 25 to 30 minutes.

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