Sneak Preview: Add these Christmas Dinner Rolls with Brown butter and Rosemary (mixed in a bread machine) to your holiday menu. Directions for shaping into a wreath are included.
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Are you looking for something easy but festive for a holiday gathering? Although homemade yeast rolls issue an aromatic, come-hither statement on their own, I guarantee this simple wreath configuration will make them memorable.
Don’t fret if you aren’t Mr. or Ms. Bread-Baker-of-the-Year. Here is a list of various ways to create these Browned Butter and Rosemary Dinner Rolls for your holiday table.
“My whole family enjoyed these. I substituted one cup of flour with whole wheat just to make them a little more healthful, and they were delicious. Thanks for the recipe. Really good as sandwiches with baked ham.” —PAM
Four Ways To Use This Holiday Bread Recipe
No time or too many bread-baking insecurities? Use store-bought frozen bread dough.
No desire and/or time to mix and knead bread dough by hand? Use a bread machine or a heavy-duty stand mixer to do the job. You could even use a bread machine mix from the grocery store.
Already have a favorite roll recipe but want to dress it up? After letting your dough rise, start with the instructions for shaping the rolls in step 5 and proceed as directed.
Not sure about the wreath, but want to try the rolls? (They make great slider buns.) Skip the whole wreath idea and put dough balls into two eight or 9-inch pans as seen here, and start from step 5 in the recipe.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this video for instructions on making perfect little balls with yeast dough. No fancy twisting, knotting, or similar frustration is required.
You’ll find this festive ring of rosemary yeast rolls difficult to resist. They also make wonderful slider buns for leftover ham, turkey, or roast beef.
Melt 1/4 cup(57g) butter on the stove and turn it to the lowest temperature. Allow it to turn golden brown. (Careful not to go too far and let it burn.) Or, see my discussion about doing it in the microwave above. Let it cool a bit before adding it to the bread machine pan.
Heat 3/4 cup(173g) milk in the microwave for 1 minute on HIGH. Add to the bread machine bowl along with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1(50g) large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, 2-1/2 cups(300g) bread flour, and 2 teaspoons bread machine or instant yeast in the order given.
Select the DOUGH cycle and start.
When the DOUGH cycle completes, the dough should double. If not, allow to sit in the machine until it does.
Remove the dough to a floured surface. Divide dough into 15 equal pieces and make it into smooth balls. Arrange on a round pizza pan 13-inches or larger, in a single or double circle as illustrated in the pictures above. Cover and allow to rise until almost double.
If desired, brush with melted butter and chopped rosemary. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
Bake in preheated 375˚F (190˚C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
If using frozen bread dough, let rolls come to room temperature and start with step 5.Directions for making bread with a stand mixer or by hand:
To make this recipe in a heavy-duty stand mixer: Add ingredients to the bowl in the same order. Turn on LOW to mix until all ingredients are moistened. Then, using a dough hook, turn the speed to 2 or 3. Continue beating/kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic (about 5-10 minutes). Cover and allow to rise in a warm place. Deflate dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
If making by hand: Combine all ingredients into a shaggy ball in a large bowl. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead with your hands until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading will likely take 10-20 minutes, depending on your experience. Place the dough ball into a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise until double. Deflate the dough gently and shape as indicated in the recipe.
Please note: You can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast. Dissolving it first is optional. Active dry yeast tends to rise slower initially but will catch up eventually.
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.