I Tested 5 Bread Machine Yeast Roll Recipes and This One Won Hands Down

Hey there, bread lovers! I’m obsessed with my bread machine—it’s like a little kitchen wizard that saves me from kneading dough by hand (because, let’s be real, who has time for that?). Recently, I decided to put it to the test with five yeast roll recipes. My mission? Find the ultimate roll—soft, fluffy, and packed with flavor. After a lot of baking (and eating), one recipe stood out above the rest. In this post, I’m sharing all five recipes with step-by-step guides, personal stories to bring each roll to life. Let’s dig in!

Why I Did This Bread Roll Showdown?

I love fresh rolls, but I wanted ones that were easy, delicious, and worked for any occasion—weeknight dinners, holiday feasts, or just snacking. My criteria: they had to be soft, flavorful, and bread machine-friendly. I tested five recipes, and after some tough taste-testing (someone had to do it), I found a clear winner. Stick with me—I’ll spill all the details!

The 5 Bread Machine Yeast Roll Recipes I Tested

Here’s the lineup. Each recipe has its own vibe, and I’ll break them down with steps, tips, and a peek at what they’d look like fresh from the oven.

1. Classic Dinner Rolls

What’s the Deal: These are your go-to rolls. Soft, buttery, and perfect for anything—gravy, butter, or just eating straight from the pan. Simple, but oh-so-good.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast

How to Make Them:

1. Load the bread machine: Pour in the milk, melted butter, and egg. Add sugar, salt, flour, and yeast on top.
2. Set it and forget it: Pick the dough cycle—usually about 90 minutes.
3. Shape time: When it’s done, punch down the dough. Divide into 12 pieces. Roll each into a ball. Pop them in a greased 9×13-inch dish.
4. Let them rise: Cover with a towel. Let them puff up for 30-45 minutes in a warm spot.
5. Bake: Heat your oven to 375°F. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.
6. Butter it up: Brush with melted butter right after baking. Trust me, it’s worth it.

My Take: I made these for a family dinner, and they disappeared in minutes. The whole milk trick makes them crazy rich—my aunt still talks about them.

2. Herb-Infused Rolls

What’s the Deal: These rolls bring some fancy vibes with fresh herbs. Think rosemary and thyme—perfect for soups or impressing your friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (110°F)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano)

How to Make Them:

1. Load the bread machine: Start with water, olive oil, and egg. Add salt, sugar, flour, yeast, and herbs.
2. Hit start: Choose the dough cycle and let it work its magic.
3. Shape them: Divide into 12 balls. Place in a greased dish.
4. Rise time: Cover and let them rise for 30-45 minutes.
5. Bake: Preheat to 375°F. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
6. Fancy finish: Sprinkle extra herbs on top before serving.

My Take: I whipped these up for a chilly night with stew. The herb smell filled my kitchen—felt like a pro chef for a minute.

3. Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

What’s the Deal: Sweet, sticky, and perfect for breakfast or dessert. Cinnamon swirls and cream cheese frosting—who could say no?

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• Filling: 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• Frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla

How to Make Them:

1. Load the bread machine: Add milk, melted butter, and egg. Then sugar, salt, flour, and yeast.
2. Dough cycle: Let it run its course.
3. Make the filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll it out: After the cycle, roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle the filling.
5. Shape: Roll it up tight from the long side. Cut into 12 slices. Place in a greased dish.
6. Rise: Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
7. Bake: Preheat to 375°F. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
8. Frost: Spread frosting over warm rolls.

My Take: I made these on a lazy Sunday. My roommate said they were better than any bakery—huge win!

4. Cheesy Garlic Rolls

What’s the Deal: Cheese lovers, this one’s for you. Sharp cheddar and a garlic kick make these a savory dream.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

How to Make Them:

1. Load the bread machine: Pour in milk, butter, and egg. Add salt, sugar, flour, yeast, cheese, and garlic powder.
2. Dough cycle: Let it go.
3. Shape: Divide into 12 balls. Place in a greased dish.
4. Rise: Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
5. Bake: Preheat to 375°F. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
6. Extra love: Brush with butter and sprinkle more cheese on top.

My Take: I brought these to a potluck, and they were gone before I could grab seconds. Kids and adults fought over them!

5. Whole Wheat Rolls

What’s the Deal: Healthier but still tasty. Nutty whole wheat flavor with a soft texture—great for guilt-free snacking.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (110°F)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast

How to Make Them:

1. Load the bread machine: Add water, honey, olive oil, and egg. Then salt, both flours, and yeast.
2. Dough cycle: Let it run.
3. Shape: Divide into 12 balls. Place in a greased dish.
4. Rise: Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
5. Bake: Preheat to 375°F. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
6. Sweet touch: Brush with honey for a shiny finish.

My Take: I was skeptical about whole wheat, but these surprised me. The honey made them a little sweet—perfect with soup.

The Winner: Classic Dinner Rolls

After all that baking, the Classic Dinner Rolls took the crown. They’re soft, fluffy, and work with everything. I could eat them every day—and I might! The other recipes were awesome, but these nailed it for simplicity and taste. You’ve got to try them.

FAQ

Can I make these without a bread machine?

Yep! Use a mixer with a dough hook or knead by hand. Let the dough rise until doubled, then shape and bake.

How long do they stay fresh?

Best fresh, but they’ll keep in a sealed container for 2 days. Warm them up in the oven to revive them.

Can I freeze them?

Totally! Freeze shaped dough before the second rise, or freeze baked rolls. Thaw and bake—or reheat—when ready.

What if my dough doesn’t rise?

Check your yeast—it might be old. Make sure your liquid’s warm (110°F) and the room isn’t drafty.

Active dry yeast instead of instant?

Sure! Dissolve it in warm liquid with a pinch of sugar. Wait 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy, then use.

Wrapping It Up

This bread machine adventure was a blast—and a carb overload worth every bite. The Classic Dinner Rolls won my heart (and stomach) with their unbeatable texture and versatility. Whether you’re a bread newbie or a pro, give them a shot. Your kitchen’s about to smell amazing—trust me! Which one will you try first? Let me know!