Parker House Rolls are a must for your dinner-time needs! These soft and fluffy rolls are an excellent side dish that is fast and simple to make!

close up of parker house rolls topped with butter.

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Everyone loves a good roll recipe, and Parker House Rolls are a classic favorite for everything from weeknight dinners to Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Originating at the Parker House Hotel in Boston in the 1870s, these infamous rolls are known for their folded pocketbook shape, which gives them a light and fluffy interior with a crisp, golden exterior.

They’re unbelievably delicious and so easy to make! That said, one of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s great to eat on its own or to pair with any main dish.

Once I baked my first batch of these yeast rolls, I knew it was sure to become a family favorite. This is pretty much why we have them at all our holiday dinners – because everyone craves them just as much as I do! Roll recipes like this are meant to be shared!

Parker house rolls on parchment paper.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy: You literally just need a few ingredients to get started. Once the yeast activates, you’re just a few steps away from the baking process.
  • Versatile: These soft rolls can be used as a side dish, or to create the best comfort food sandwiches with leftover turkey or ham after the holidays.
  • Freezable: You can save the leftovers, and freeze them for later.

Recipe Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions:

  • Active dry yeast – It’s best to test the yeast before using it to make sure that it’s still active.
  • Warm water – The water needs to be warm, but not hot, to activate the yeast.
  • Whole milk – The milk should be warmed as well.
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter
  • All-purpose flour

Directions for How To This Make Parker House Rolls Recipe

Step 1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Then, let it sit for about 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes frothy.

ingredients to make parker house rolls.

Step 2. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir until the sugar is dissolved in the milk mixture.

Step 3. Gradually add flour to the wet mixture, stirring to form a soft dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

roll dough in a clear bowl with flour.

Step 4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and knead for about 5-7 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, place the dough in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, and knead on low speed.

Step 5. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Then, let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

glass bowl full of roll dough.

Step 6. After the dough has risen, punch it down, and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into 12 pieces. Fold each piece in half, and gently press the fold to secure the shape.

cutting the roll dough into pieces to make the individual rolls.

Step 7. Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and cover them again with a towel. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.

placing the rolls on the baking sheet.

Step 8. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF.

Step 9. Brush the rolls with melted butter or honey butter, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

Step 10. Once the dinner rolls are out of the oven, brush them with additional melted butter and serve warm.

close up of buttered parker house rolls.

Variations

  • Top the rolls with honey, maple syrup, or flavored butter for a fun pop of taste.
  • Use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour if you need to keep this recipe gluten-free.

Tips for Success

  • You can test the yeast to make sure it’s active before starting the recipe. Put a small amount of the yeast into a small amount of warm water, and stir. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to make sure that it activates. This will tell you that it’s good to go and use in the recipe.
  • Ensure your milk and water are warm but not too hot, as high heat can kill the yeast.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt or garlic butter after baking.
close up image of parker house rolls with the cross section showing.

Storage + Reheating

  • To Store: Add the leftover rolls to an airtight container and keep them at room temperature or in the fridge. For the best texture, eat within 2-3 days.
  • To Freeze: Wrap the rolls in aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
  • To Reheat: Reheat the rolls in the microwave, heating in 15-second increments until soft and warmed thoroughly.
close up of buttered parker house rolls.

Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls are a must for your dinner time needs! These soft and fluffy rolls are an excellent side dish that is fast and simple to make!
No ratings yet
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
1 hour 23 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 3 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Small bowl
  • 2 Large Bowls
  • 1 Baking sheet

Ingredients  

  • 2ยผ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ยผ cup warm water ย (110ยฐF)
  • 1 cup whole milk (warmed to 110ยฐF)
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3ยฝ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • ยผ cup unsalted butter ย (melted, plus more for brushing)

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.
    2ยผ teaspoons active dry yeast, ยผ cup warm water
  • In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
    1 cup whole milk, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Gradually add flour to the wet mixture, stirring to form a soft dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
    3ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook
  • Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  • After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into 12 pieces. Fold each piece in half, and gently press the fold to secure the shape.
  • Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and cover them again with a towel. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
    ยผ cup unsalted butter
  • Once the rolls are out of the oven, brush them with additional melted butter and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 151IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

Share With Us

I hope you enjoy this delicious Parker Rolls Recipe! If you give it a try, please share your experience in the comments below. Donโ€™t forget to tag me on social media @allthingsmamma and use the hashtag #allthingsmamma.

close up image of parker house rolls with the cross section showing.

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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