Copycat Texas Road House Rolls

There’s a certain kind of magic in the smell of bread baking in the oven. Growing up, I remember sitting at the kitchen table while my grandmother carefully shaped little dough balls, each one turning into a golden puff of comfort once baked. That memory came rushing back the first time I tried recreating the legendary Copycat Texas Road House Rolls. The result? Buttery, pillow-soft dinner rolls that quickly became a family favorite. This version is tailored with beginners in mind—no complicated techniques, just straightforward steps and fail-proof tips. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a pro baker with just a few pantry staples.

If you’re just starting your kitchen journey, this lemon herb chicken dinner roll combo offers everything you need in a recipe: it’s easy to follow, quick to prepare (with most of the time being hands-off), and even offers a nutritious payoff with homemade goodness and none of the additives found in store-bought options.

Why This Recipe is Special

These fluffy dinner rolls are a beginner cook’s dream—simple ingredients, minimal prep, and maximum payoff. Inspired by the famous Texas Roadhouse rolls, this version skips the restaurant line and brings the same soft texture and buttery sweetness to your kitchen. Whether you serve them as a side for an easy sheet pan dinner, as a sandwich base, or just enjoy them warm with a touch of honey butter, they’re a versatile treat that turns any meal into something special.

Ingredients and Preparation

Milk – This is key to richness and softness. Scalding the milk improves its interaction with yeast and adds a creamy texture to the dough.

Active Dry Yeast – Yeast helps the rolls rise and gives them their classic airy texture. Make sure it’s foamy after activation—it’s your signal that it’s alive and ready.

Granulated Sugar – Provides a gentle sweetness and feeds the yeast during the rising process.

Honey – Adds a deeper, more rounded sweetness and enhances the aroma.

Unsalted Butter – Adds moisture, softness, and that crave-worthy buttery flavor.

All-Purpose Flour – The structural backbone of the rolls. You may need a little more or less depending on humidity, so trust your dough’s texture.

Eggs – They enrich the dough, helping create that soft, elastic crumb.

Salt – Enhances all the other flavors without making the rolls overly salty.

Alternatives: No honey? Try maple syrup. Only have salted butter? Use it, but cut back the added salt. If you’re out of active dry yeast, instant yeast works—just skip the activation and mix it right in with the flour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 Start by heating your milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until you see small bubbles forming around the edges. Don’t let it boil. Pour it into another container and let it cool for about 10 minutes so it doesn’t kill the yeast later.

Step 2 In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine warm water, yeast, and a spoonful of sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, which confirms the yeast is active.

Step 3 Add the rest of the sugar, honey, the cooled milk, and two cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir well until fully combined.

Step 4 Add the melted butter, eggs, and salt to the mixture, stirring until smooth. Then gradually add the remaining flour, about one cup at a time, mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and becomes soft but not sticky.

Step 5 Let the dough rest for a few minutes, then knead it for about 5 minutes by hand or using a dough hook. Add a little flour if it sticks too much.

Step 6 Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turn it to coat, and cover it with plastic wrap. Place it in a warm spot and let it rise until doubled in size—this takes around 45 minutes.

Step 7 Once risen, press down the dough to release air bubbles. Roll it out on a flat surface to about ½ inch thickness, then cut into 2-inch squares using a pizza cutter or knife.

Step 8 Arrange the squares on parchment-lined baking sheets, loosely cover, and let them rise again until doubled—another 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 9 Preheat your oven to 350°F during the second rise. Once ready, bake the rolls for 14–18 minutes or until golden brown. Rotate trays halfway through baking for even color.

Step 10 As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter. This gives them that iconic glossy finish and an irresistible taste.

Beginner Tips and Notes

If your dough seems too sticky during kneading, dust in more flour a tablespoon at a time. However, resist adding too much—it should still feel soft. If your yeast doesn’t foam in Step 2, it’s either expired or your water was too hot. Start again with cooler water.

Use a pizza cutter for even roll sizes and parchment paper for easy clean-up. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix and knead by hand—it’s great practice and surprisingly therapeutic.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these rolls warm with a pat of whipped cinnamon honey butter or next to a lemon herb chicken sheet pan dinner for a comforting, well-rounded meal. They’re also great sliced and used for sliders or mini sandwiches.

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. To store longer, freeze the cooled rolls in a zip-top bag and reheat in the oven when needed.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever been intimidated by baking bread, let this be your starting point. These easy dinner rolls are proof that with a little patience and the right steps, anyone can make bakery-worthy bread at home. Whether you’re preparing for a cozy dinner or looking to impress at your next gathering, this lemon herb chicken roll combo delivers both flavor and comfort. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out—I’d love to hear your baking story.

FAQ About Copycat Texas Road House Rolls

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