Favorite Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls with a subtly sweet flavor, enriched with mashed potatoes and whole wheat, perfect for family gatherings or comforting weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in warm water and let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, sugar, shortening, and scalded milk; stir until well blended.
- Add the yeast mixture to the potato-milk mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Gradually add the whole wheat bread flour, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the eggs, salt, and enough unbleached flour to make a soft dough that is slightly sticky.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet or in a greased 9-inch round pan.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and brush with melted butter if desired. Serve warm.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, make sure your yeast is fresh and the water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly. If you don’t have mashed potatoes, you can substitute with instant potato flakes mixed with water. If you prefer a lighter roll, consider using all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat bread flour.
Serving Suggestions
These dinner rolls are perfect for family gatherings or holiday meals and pair beautifully with Frito-Grit Casserole. Serve them warm with butter or alongside soups and salads. They also make excellent sandwich bases for leftovers or can be enjoyed with your favorite spreads.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover dinner rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Favorite Dinner Rolls contains roughly 958 calories, with 14g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 63g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (28% of the Daily Value) and protein (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 476mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat bread flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour for the whole wheat bread flour. This will yield a softer texture in your rolls. Just be mindful to adjust the amount of flour as needed to maintain the dough's stickiness consistency.
How can I tell when the rolls are done baking?
The rolls are done when they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Additionally, an internal temperature of about 190°F (88°C) indicates they are properly baked.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it after the first rise. Just allow the dough to come to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the second rise and baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).