Description
These soft, buttery Parker House Rolls are a classic American bread perfect for accompanying any meal. Made with a tender dough enriched with butter, milk, and honey, these rolls are folded to create a delightful layered texture and finished with a sweet honey butter glaze and flaky sea salt topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour (420 grams, spooned and leveled)
- 2½ teaspoons instant yeast (7 grams, 1 envelope)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (38 grams)
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt (5 grams)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 grams, room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk (227 grams, lukewarm, 110°F)
- 1 large egg (50 grams, room temperature)
For Baking and Finishing
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57 grams, melted, ½ stick)
- 2 tablespoons honey (42 grams)
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Mix the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, kosher salt, softened butter, lukewarm milk, and the egg. Start mixing on low speed until the dough begins to come together, then increase to medium speed and knead for 7-8 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticking to the bowl.
- First rise: Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough into it. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Prepare baking dish: Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with melted butter and set it aside.
- Shape the dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into an 8×12-inch rectangle. Brush the entire surface with some of the melted butter.
- Cut the rolls: Cut the dough into 8 equal rectangles by slicing into 4 horizontal rows and then once vertically down the center, creating 8 pieces.
- Fold the rolls: Fold each rectangle over itself so the butter is enclosed inside, allowing a ¼ inch overhang on the fold. Place each folded roll into the prepared baking dish, arranging them in two halves of 8.
- Second rise: Cover the baking dish loosely with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 45-60 minutes until they become puffy. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tops turn a golden brown color.
- Finish and serve: Remove the baked rolls from the oven and immediately brush them with the remaining melted butter. Prepare the honey butter by mixing the 4 tablespoons of melted butter with 2 tablespoons honey, then drizzle or spread over the rolls. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve warm.
Notes
- For softer rolls, ensure the milk is lukewarm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- The folding technique helps create the characteristic flaky texture of Parker House rolls.
- The honey butter glaze adds a deliciously sweet and salty contrast; adjust honey amount to taste.
- For best results, do not skip the two-rise process to ensure fluffy, tender rolls.
- These rolls freeze well – wrap tightly and reheat in a warm oven before serving.
