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Buttermilk Parker House Dinner Rolls

These Buttermilk Parker House Dinner Rolls are soft, buttery, and mildly tangy, perfect for any meal and easy enough for home cooks to make.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 16 rolls
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 160

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup warm buttermilk (110°F) Use real buttermilk for the best flavor.
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet) Make sure it's fresh.
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 1 tbsp for blooming yeast, 2 tbsp for dough.
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting Do not add too much flour; dough should be slightly tacky.
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt Adjust according to taste if using salted butter.
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus 4 tbsp melted for brushing Brushing with butter keeps tops tender.
For Finishing
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted For brushing the rolls after baking.
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional) Optional topping.

Method
 

Bloom the Yeast
  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm buttermilk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 8 minutes until foamy. If it does not foam, start over with a fresh packet.
Mix and Knead the Dough
  1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and 4 tablespoons melted butter. Knead with a dough hook on low speed, or by hand on a floured surface, for 7 to 9 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise
  1. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
Shape the Rolls
  1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
Arrange and Second Rise
  1. Place the dough balls in the prepared dish in 4 rows of 4. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour until puffy.
Bake and Finish
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the rolls with half of the remaining melted butter. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped. Brush with remaining melted butter after removing from the oven.

Notes

For best results, ensure the buttermilk is warm, avoid too much flour, and do not rush the rise times. Freeze for up to 2 months; reheat in a 300°F oven draped in foil.