I have been itching to get back into bread baking but it’s been tough since my flour stash got thrown out when we moved last summer. My stash now consists of white flour and that’s pretty much it – and there’s only so much that can be done with white flour. I’ve been scouring the internet for simple rolls and breads to satisfy my need to knead. (har har)
Parker House Rolls are something I’ve always heard about but I wasn’t really sure what they were until I made them recently. They’re basically a slightly sweet roll that’s folded over (so you can split it open and smear butter all over, of course) before baking. They’re so much simpler than they look and are guaranteed to impress!
This recipe is very simple and the dough is a breeze to work with. It rolled out like a dream and held it’s shape beautifully during baking. My family gobbled these up and asked for more long after they were gone!
Parker House Rolls
- 2 packages (¼ ounce each active dry yeast)
- 1 teaspoon plus 6 tablespoons sugar (divided)
- 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°, divided)
- 1 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 5-½ to 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted, optional)
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in ½ cup warm water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the milk, salt, egg, oil, remaining sugar, water and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll out each piece to ⅓-in. or ½-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-½-in. biscuit cutter. Brush with butter if desired.
- Make an off-center crease in each roll. Fold along crease so the large half is on top; press along folded edge. Place 2 inch apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bake at 375F for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Mary Eaton says
I have made these rolls and am in the process of making them for Christmas dinner. My family loves these rolls. They are tastier than the ones I used to make my mother before she passed 18 years ago. And they are as good as they look!
Javelin Warrior says
I hope you don’t mind but I’m so inspired I’ve included this post in my Friday Food Fetish roundup. Thanks for sharing and MOAR please :)
nicole says
these.. these are going on the list of things to make when I am visiting. :-P
Elaine says
I just love the shape of your parker house rolls! I have never made these myself, but now I must and I want to make them look like yours.
Bill says
unless you need to knead for therapy reasons, check out ‘bread in 5 minutes’–way better than white bread, way easier, and you can run wild replacing your stash from all those great barrels in the bulk section!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I love making fresh bread! These rolls look perfect. I am pinning this now!
Emily Malloy @Cleanliness says
Holy Potatoes, this is amazing.
Deanna says
I’ve been wanting to try my hand at some kind of “bread” recipe and I think this will work out perfectly!!!! I HOPE!! They look scrumptious!!!!
Lynne says
I dearly love these rolls! My mom made them every Thanksgiving!
Tracey says
I made park house rolls back in the day, but they didn’t look anywhere near as good as yours!! I need to try this recipe, maybe I’ll add these to our Christmas day menu :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These are lovely!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
We’d be horrible at a restaurant together – eating up the bread like no ones business lol. I need to add this to my list!
Mary Beth says
Parker rolls are something I’ve always wanted to try. I’ll have to make use of my flour stash as well :).
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
These are some of the best Parker House rolls I’ve seen!
Erin says
I’ve heard a lot about these rolls too. But I’m not a big bread baker since I live alone and my freezer space is very limited. Definitely want to make these whenever I manage to have a dinner party – whenever my apartment is no longer a raving mess.
Pam @ From Apples To Zucchini says
I have been wanting to make these FOREVER! They look amazing…I might have to give in soon (but of course I have more cookies to bake first) ;)
Living The Sweet Life says
Mmmmm — these look like soft pillows of deliciousness :)
Julia says
I’m totally gonna make these for Christmas!!!! They look perfect!
Julie @ Table for Two says
oooo these rolls look so fluffy and soft!! i can just picture myself breaking into one of these right out of the oven and steam coming out of them. ugh, butter and this roll would be amazing right now..