Parker House Rolls

5 from 1 vote

Soft, buttery Parker House rolls made at home! Learn what makes them unique, how to bake them, plus history, storage tips and variations.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

1 30

Total Time2 10

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Parker House Rolls, parker house rolls recipe

Servings: rolls

Calories: 188kcal

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, ¼ 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.
3 ½ 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 350°F.
Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
¼ cup unsalted butter
Once the rolls are out of the oven, brush them with additional melted butter and serve warm.

Test the yeast to make sure it's active: 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.
Use warm liquids: Ensure your milk and water are warm but not too hot, as high heat can kill the yeast.
Top the rolls: For extra flavor, sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt or garlic butter after baking.
Rotate the baking sheet: If your oven tends to bake unevenly, I recommend rotating your baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning.