Easy Yeast Rolls (My Mom’s Recipe)

This easy yeast rolls recipe is great for beginners. Learn how to make soft and delicious dinner rolls with this never-fail recipe.

My mom is famous for her rolls and cinnamon rolls. I remember her often mixing up a pan of rolls and then having them ready first thing in the morning.

She would take a couple of pans to work or other get-togethers, and everyone was always impressed with how delicious her rolls were.

easy yeast rolls

I thought they were the best thing in the world, especially slathered with butter!

white rolls with butter

Today I’m sharing my mom’s tried-and-true easy yeast rolls recipe that never failed her. It’s always a treat when these are on the menu (usually at holidays or special occasions)!

Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners

Even though there seem to be a lot of steps to any bread recipe, I think this recipe is a great yeast roll recipe for beginners.

The reason that I think it works for beginners is simply because it has basic ingredients and we haven’t had it fail us yet.

If you carefully follow all the steps, this recipe turns out perfectly every time! Of course there are always variables with any recipe, but we’ve never had a flop with this recipe, and we know it’s a good one!

easy yeast rolls recipe

Easy Yeast Rolls Notes

  • I like to knead the bread right in the bowl, which keeps things simple, but you can also turn it out onto a lightly floured surface if you prefer.
  • I have only made this recipe as written (with white flour and white sugar), so I don’t know how it would work with different ingredients (altering the flour or sugar type).
  • This recipe calls for two packages of yeast. Each package of yeast usually contains about 2 1/4 teaspoons. 1 package = 2 1/4 teaspoons.
  • I use active dry yeast for this recipe.
  • For the oil in this recipe, I use melted coconut oil, but any vegetable oil would work.

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Supplies Needed for This Recipe

easy yeast rolls

How to Make Easy Yeast Rolls from Scratch

First, add lukewarm water (about 110-115 degrees) to a glass measuring cup. Sprinkle yeast on top of the water and allow it to dissolve.

Next, crack eggs into a small bowl, beat well, and set aside (I just use a whisk for this).

In a mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat the water/yeast mixture, two cups of flour, sugar, and salt until smooth.

dough in stand mixer

Add eggs and oil, and mix thoroughly.

Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, and gradually knead in four and a half cups of flour.

bread dough in bowl

Knead the dough until elastic. (I knead right in the bowl, but you can turn it out onto a lightly floured surface). You can also check to make sure that it passes the “windowpane test.”

(The windowpane test is where you pull off a small piece of dough and stretch it out gently between your fingers. If the dough stretches out without breaking, and you can see the light through it, this means you’ve kneaded it sufficiently.)

Grease the sides of your bowl and under the dough (remove or pick up the dough to grease the bowl) . Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about 40 minutes.

bread dough rising

After 40 minutes, and once the dough has risen, punch down and form into rolls.

punching down bread dough

Place the rolls into greased pans (this recipe fills a 9″ x 13″ pan and an 8″ x 8″ pan) and let rise for about 40 more minutes.

rolls in pan

Bake at 400 degrees for at least 15 minutes and until golden in color.

yeast rolls in glass pan

More Bread Recipes

bread roll on bread plate

Easy Yeast Rolls Recipe

Easy Yeast Rolls

These easy yeast rolls are my mom's never-fail roll recipe.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Rising Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread recipe, easy yeast rolls, white flour rolls
Servings: 24 rolls
Author: Joy @ Artful Homemaking

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water lukewarm
  • 2 pkgs yeast (1 package = about 2 1/4 tsp)
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 cups flour all-purpose
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 4 1/2 cups flour

Instructions

  • Add lukewarm water (about 110-115 degrees) to a glass measuring cup. Sprinkle yeast on top of the water and allow it to dissolve.
  • Crack eggs into a small bowl, beat well, and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat the water/yeast mixture, 2 cups of flour, sugar, and salt until smooth. Add eggs and oil, and mix thoroughly.
  • Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, and gradually knead in remaining 4 1/2 cups of flour. Knead the dough until elastic (I knead right in the bowl, but you can turn it out onto a lightly floured surface). You can also check to see that it passes the "windowpane test." 
    (The windowpane test is where you pull off a small piece of dough and stretch it out gently. If the dough stretches out without breaking, and you can see the light through it, this means you've kneaded it sufficiently.)
  • Grease the sides of your bowl and under the dough. Cover bowl with a tea towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about 40 minutes.
  • After 40 minutes, and once the dough has risen, punch down and form into rolls. Place the rolls into greased pans (this recipe fills a 9" x 13" pan and an 8" x 8" pan) and let rise for about 40 more minutes.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for at least 15 minutes and until golden in color.

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