Honey Yeast Rolls

These honey yeast rolls are so good they are called the donut rolls in our house. You can't go wrong with these light, fluffy, and slightly sweet dinner rolls.

The Story Behind the Honey Yeast Rolls

Years ago I was a faithful follower of many food bloggers. Everyone morning after breakfast, I would sit at the computer while my baby played on the floor beside me, and check each of my favorite bloggers to see if there were any new recipes. It wasn’t until about a year in that I discovered they posted recipes on certain days and each had their own schedule.

One of my favorite bloggers was Bakerella. I couldn’t get over how cute her cake pops were. I actually bought her cookbook, but never actually made anything from it. I still just swoon over how talented she is.

I also loved and still love Mel’s Kitchen Cafe and Everyday Annie. They are both incredibly talented food bloggers and have incredible recipes. I’ve yet to try a recipe of theirs that I hate.

This honey yeast roll recipe comes from Everyday Annie. I’ve actually used this recipe for so many year. My husband has even nicknamed them to the ‘donut rolls’. They are so incredible fluffy and soft. The dough itself has honey, and then before they are baked, you brush them with more honey and butter. They are incredible and one of my go-to rolls.

During one family dinner, I had a brother-in-law request that I stuff this dough with a cinnamon filling and then top with with a glaze, similar to a cinnamon roll. Of course I had to try it. So at the next family dinner and I did. They were insanely delicious and lived up to the name of ‘donut roll’ even more than the original.

These rolls are good with soup, meat, or as a Thanksgiving side. Once you try these out they will also become one of your go-to roll recipes.

close up of individual honey yeast roll with golden brown top

F.A.Q.s and Troubleshooting for Honey Yeast Rolls

My dough didn’t rise.

Most likely, you made the liquids too hot and killed your yeast. When using warm liquids with yeast, you want to test it like you would a baby bottle. If it is too hot on your wrist, don’t use it or let it cool before using the yeast. Your room may also be cold. I tend to have that problem during the cold winter months here in Utah. I like to cover my dough and preheat my oven to about 120. Once it has reached that temperature TURN OFF THE OVEN and then let it rise.

My rolls are different sizes.

I don’t tend to worry about perfection when making these rolls, or any roll for that manner. If you want to be precise, use a food scale to weigh out each dough ball to get them perfectly even. Otherwise, serve the smaller rolls to the little kids at dinner.

What kind of yeast should I use?

My absolutely favorite brand of yeast is SAF instant yeast. I really feel like it works the best, and I have never had a problem with it failing or not rising. You can also use Active Dry yeast. Both work great in this recipe.

The rolls in the middle of my pan were a little dough.

All you need to do is cook them a few extra minutes next time. The outer rolls will be just fine.

pan of honey yeast rolls with two on plates

Additional Recipes

If you are excited about these honey yeast rolls and love them as much as my family does, then you have to check out these other recipes.

These honey yeast rolls are so good they are called the donut rolls in our house. You can't go wrong with these light, fluffy, and slightly sweet dinner rolls.

5 from 1 vote

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Course bread

Servings rolls

Ingredients

2¼ tsp instant yeast
1 cup warm water
¼ cup honey
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1¼ tsp kosher salt
3½-4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp honey

Instructions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine yeast, warm water, and honey. Let the yeast bloom for 5-10 minutes.
Add in the salt, oil, and flour and mix on medium high speed with the dough hook attachment.
Start with 3½ cups of the flour and add extra flour only as needed. The dough should pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl forming a ball.
Let the mixer knead the dough for 5 minutes.
Remove the dough ball from the bowl and spray the bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough ball back in and then cover the entire bowl with plastic wrap.
Let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
Divide dough into 12 even pieces. Roll into balls and place into a greased pie dish. There should be about 9 dough ball around the outside edge and about 3 in the middle.
Cover the pie dish and let rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the dough balls have risen and all are touching each other.
Preheat the oven to 400°.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the 2 tbsp of butter and then mix with the 2 tbsp of honey.
Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the honey butter mixture on top of the uncooked rolls.
Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Honey Yeast Rolls

The Story Behind the Honey Yeast Rolls