Notoriously light and fluffy with a little fold in the middle, these Parker House Rolls are the perfect roll. They're made like regular dinner rolls, but instead of just rolling them into a ball, you press them into an oval and brush them with melted butter before rolling them up. This gives them a buttery flavor and incredibly tender texture that's such a treat to eat. This will quickly become your favorite roll recipe!

Originally created in the 1800s, the history of Parker House rolls starts at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. These rolls are known for their unusually narrow shape. Legend has it that they were invented when an angry baker placed a batch of unfinished rolls in the oven.

Word spread as people tried these super soft, tender rolls, which were so different from the hard, dry rolls of the day. They were popular worldwide for decades before the recipe was finally shared by the White House chef in the 1930s, which solidified this classic recipe as an American staple from then on.

Why You'll Love These Parker House Rolls

• Incredibly light and fluffy. These rolls start with a really tender basic dough recipe. As they're folded together, they create a natural pocket perfect for adding flavored butter or a drizzle of honey. They're so soft and so much fun to eat!
• Use basic ingredients. We love that you can turn a few simple ingredients into the most perfect rolls with this Parker House rolls recipe. You probably already have everything you need on hand! We love a good pantry staple recipe!
• So easy to make. This dough comes together really quickly, and you don't even need to use any fancy tools or equipment. Despite their simplicity, your dinner guests will be begging for the recipe! They are unbelievably fluffy and soft, perfect for sopping up gravy or the last drops of soup.

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious Parker House rolls, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• whole milk - use lightly warm or room temperature milk to help activate the yeast.
• vegetable oil - this will add a moist, tender texture to your homemade bread.
• yeast - choose active dry yeast for best results. Instant yeast works, too.
• sugar - this adds just a little sweetness to these homemade rolls, which makes them absolutely irresistible. Sugar is also necessary for helping the yeast to proof the dough faster.
• flour - use regular all purpose flour. Divide the flour into two portions to avoid adding too much.
• egg - egg will bind the rolls together, give them a tender texture, and help them rise.
• salt - a little salt will highlight all the flavors in these tender rolls.
• butter - brush melted butter over the hot rolls fresh from the oven for a buttery flavor and shine.

You will also need a mixing bowl or stand mixer, measuring cups, knife or bench scraper, damp cloth, rolling pin, pastry brush, basket tray, parchment paper, and a clean kitchen towel.

How to Make the Best Parker House Rolls

First, prepare the dough.

1. Activate the yeast. In a mixing bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), stir together milk, vegetable oil, yeast, and sugar. Let the milk mixture rest for 10 minutes until foamy.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Add in 2 cups flour, egg, and salt. Stir until combined (or use a dough hook in your stand mixer to mix until combined). Gradually add in the remaining flour and mix until completely combined.

3. Knead. Knead the dough manually using your hands on a clean surface for 5 minutes, or use the dough hook of your stand mixer to mix together until the dough ball forms and becomes smooth, about 5 minutes.

Next, shape the rolls.

1. Divide dough. Roll the ball of dough into a log and divide it into 15 equal pieces with a knife or bench scraper. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying. When the dough loses moisture, it tends to form hard skin around its surface, which creates a crust when baking.

2. Shape. Take one piece at a time and roll it out into an oval of 4 inch long. Brush with melted butter and fold in half. 

3. Repeat. Repeat and arrange the rolls in a large half sheet baking tray (9x13-inch) lined with parchment paper.

Now it's time to proof the rolls.

Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel or another baking pan upside down, on top. Let the rolls rest and rise for one hour. The rolls should almost double in size. Letting the dough rise in a warmer area will help the rolls rise faster.

Finally, let's bake the rolls.

Bake the rolls in a 375F preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes and brush the tops with the remaining butter.

How to Serve

This Parker House rolls recipe is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite recipes including:

• Sunday Pot Roast
• The Best Ribeye Steak
• Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
• Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Classic Homemade Turkey Gravy

For more recipe inspiration, see our 50 Sunday Dinner Ideas.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer storage.

How to Reheat

The best way to reheat famous Parker House rolls is to bake them in the oven. Warm up a 350 F degree oven and bake the rolls on a sheet tray for 6-8 minutes or until nice and warm. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 3-6 minutes. Enjoy!

How to Freeze

Freeze baked rolls in a freezer-safe bag for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

FAQ

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