Oh, these Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls are an absolute dream! I remember the first time I tried making them—it was love at first bite. There’s just something about those soft, pillowy rolls brushed with a luscious blend of salted honey butter that makes every meal feel like a special occasion. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday dinner, a weekend brunch, or just because you want to treat yourself, they never disappoint.
What makes this Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe stand out is how perfectly the sweet honey and salty butter combo complements the tender, fluffy dough. I love that they’re surprisingly easy to make despite feeling fancy, and you’ll find they’re perfect for pulling apart and sharing with loved ones. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to roll recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Fluffy Rolls: Thanks to the gentle rise and tender dough, these rolls come out perfectly pillowy every time.
- Sweet & Salty Balance: The salted honey butter finish adds a rich and irresistible flavor contrast that keeps everyone reaching for more.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these ahead and refrigerate or freeze them for an easy, ready-to-bake treat.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering, these rolls fit right in and impress effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe plays an important role, blending together to create that wonderful texture and flavor you’ll love. Plus, these ingredients are mostly staples you likely already have on hand!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, providing structure while keeping the rolls soft.
- Rapid rise yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly and reliably, making the process smooth and easy.
- Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor, balancing sweetness without overwhelming the rolls.
- Warm whole milk: Softens the dough and activates the yeast perfectly—make sure it’s warm, not hot!
- Honey: Adds a gentle sweetness and helps with browning for that golden crust.
- Salted butter (room temperature): Makes the dough rich and tender; room temp butter blends in smoothly.
- Large egg (room temperature): Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
- Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top for a delicious salty crunch just before serving.
- Honey butter (melted salted butter & honey): This final glaze brings the rolls to life with a sweet, buttery sheen you won’t want to skip.
Variations
I love that this Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe is so adaptable. I often tweak it depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to make it your own with these easy variations!
- Whole Wheat Twist: I swapped half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour once, and the rolls came out with a nutty flavor that was just divine.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace salted butter with a plant-based spread and use almond milk to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing softness.
- Extra Honey Touch: Drizzle a bit more honey on top after baking for an ultra-sweet finish—my kids absolutely adore this!
- Herb Infusion: Mixing fresh rosemary or thyme into the dough gives the rolls an herby kick that pairs beautifully with savory meals.
How to Make Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough
Start by combining your flour, yeast, and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Then pour in the warm milk, honey, egg, and room-temperature butter. Mixing these together for about 4-5 minutes allows the dough to come together smoothly. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour—trust your hands here. Once it looks smooth and elastic, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature to relax and get ready for shaping.
Step 2: Prepare the Honey Butter
While the dough is resting, mix up the honey butter by combining melted salted butter with honey. This is your secret weapon for brushing on the rolls before baking and after—they shine with this glaze, which also keeps them wonderfully moist.
Step 3: Shape the Rolls
Once your dough has had its rest, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Punch it down gently to release any big air bubbles, then divide it in half. Roll each half into a 12-inch square, aiming for about a quarter-inch thickness. Brush each square generously with the honey butter. Then slice each square into 6 strips and roll each strip into a coiled shape—this is the classic Parker House roll twist that gives them their signature look. Place your rolls seam-side down in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Step 4: Let the Rolls Rise
Cover the dish and let the rolls rise until puffy, about 30 minutes at room temperature. If you have the time, you can also pop them in the fridge overnight to rise slowly—that’s great if you want to prep ahead. You’ll see the dough spread and puff up nicely, which means they’re almost ready to bake.
Step 5: Bake and Finish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 18-25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Right after pulling them out, brush them with the remaining honey butter and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for that perfect sweet-salty contrast. These rolls are best enjoyed warm, fresh from the oven, so prepare to be wowed!
Pro Tips for Making Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe
- Perfect Dough Temperature: Make sure your milk is warm, around 100-110°F, to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the dough rest and rise is key for that soft, airy texture—patience pays off!
- Brush with Honey Butter Twice: Brushing both before and after baking seals in moisture and gives an irresistible glossy finish.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Keep an eye on the rolls starting at 18 minutes to avoid over-browning and drying out the lovely crumb.
How to Serve Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these rolls with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking—it adds that perfect crunch and salty contrast to the honey sweetness. Sometimes, I add a touch of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a little extra pop if serving during a dinner party.
Side Dishes
These rolls pair wonderfully with classic comfort foods like roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or a hearty stew. I often serve them alongside a fresh green salad or a bowl of soup for a cozy meal. They’re also fantastic with a generous slather of butter and a drizzle of honey for breakfast or brunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the rolls in a round baking dish to form a pull-apart bread wreath—it’s a festive and fun presentation that guests love. Adding edible flowers or herb sprigs around the dish instantly elevates the look on your table. You can also serve individual rolls in small baskets lined with pretty napkins for a charming touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft for up to two days. To refresh them, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave with a damp paper towel works wonders for bringing back that fresh-baked softness.
Freezing
Freezing these rolls is a lifesaver! You can freeze them either before or after baking. I prefer freezing right after assembling and letting them rise—they thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh the next day. This way, you get that just-baked flavor anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, wrap the rolls in foil and pop them in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. This method keeps them soft and moist without drying out the crumb like a microwave sometimes can. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving with a damp towel is perfectly fine for a quick fix.
FAQs
-
Can I use active dry yeast instead of rapid rise yeast?
Absolutely! If you’re using active dry yeast, mix it with the warm milk and honey first and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it gets bubbly and foamy on top. Then you can add the flour and other ingredients as usual. This step ensures the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in the dough.
-
Can I make these rolls ahead for a party?
Yes! You can assemble the rolls up to step 4, then cover and refrigerate them overnight without letting them rise at room temp. When ready to bake, just take them out 30 minutes before baking to warm up, and bake as directed. This makes hosting so much easier and stress-free!
-
How do I get the classic Parker House roll shape?
The key is rolling each dough strip into a tight coil and placing them seam-side down in the baking dish. This rolling technique creates the signature layered look and allows the rolls to pull apart so nicely after baking.
-
What if my dough is sticky and hard to handle?
Don’t worry, dough can be a bit sticky depending on humidity and flour type. Just dust your hands and work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Add flour gradually if needed, but be careful not to add too much or the rolls might turn dense.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe turn out every single time. There’s something so comforting and inviting about pulling apart a warm, buttery roll and savoring the delicate balance of salty and sweet. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, I promise you’ll enjoy this recipe as much as my family does—give it a try; I’m sure it’ll become one of your favorites too!
Print
Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls are soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, brushed with a luscious honey butter glaze and finished with flaky sea salt. Perfect for serving warm alongside meals or as a delightful snack, these rolls combine tender yeast dough with a sweet and savory twist.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 1 packet Fleischmann’s® Rapid Rise Yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup warm whole milk
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Honey Butter
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, honey, egg, and butter. Use the dough hook to mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, add up to 1/4 cup more flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes or up to a few hours.
- Prepare the Honey Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter and honey, mixing well to create a smooth glaze.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Rolls: Lightly flour a work surface. Turn out the dough and punch it down. Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a 12-inch square around 1/4-inch thick. Brush each square generously with honey butter, reserving some for later. Cut each square into 6 strips, roll each strip into a coil, and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Let the Rolls Rise: Cover the dish and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes until puffy. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight for a slower rise.
- Bake the Rolls: Bake rolls for 18-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately brush with remaining honey butter. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, pull apart, and serve warm.
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare the rolls through step 4. Skip room temperature rising, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking.
- To Prepare and Freeze: Assemble rolls through step 5, cover, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge or on counter for a few hours before baking.
- To Bake and Freeze: Bake rolls fully, cool completely, cover well, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before serving.
- To Use Active Dry Yeast: Mix 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast with warm milk and honey, let sit 5-10 minutes until bubbly before adding flour and proceeding as usual.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
