Freeze-and-Bake Rolls

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 15 min. + freezing

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Nov. 09, 2023
These homemade rolls are fancy enough for a feast but handy enough for almost any occasion. —Jayne Duce, Raymond, Alberta
Freeze-and-Bake Rolls Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1-1/2 cups warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 4 teaspoons salt
  • 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Butter, melted

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in warm water; let stand 5 minutes. Add warm milk, oil, salt and remaining sugar. Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough.
  2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
  3. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 4 portions. Divide and shape each portion into 12 balls. Roll each ball into a 10-in. rope; tie into a loose knot, pinching together ends. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, 20-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 300°.
  4. Brush rolls with melted butter. Bake 15 minutes to parbake. Cool completely on a wire rack. Freeze in airtight freezer containers.
  5. To serve, preheat oven to 375°. Bake frozen rolls on baking sheets until browned and heated through, 12-15 minutes.
Editor's Note: To bake rolls without freezing, brush rolls after rising with melted butter. Bake in a preheated 375° oven until golden brown, 15-18 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1 roll: 120 calories, 1g fat, 1mg cholesterol, 197mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate, 3g protein.