Christmas Dinner Rolls with Brown Butter and Rosemary Recipe
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 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 milk in the microwave for 1 minute on HIGH. Add to the bread machine bowl along with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, 2-1/2 cups 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.