"I made two trays of these for a church holiday dinner and my oh MY were they popular! Not a single one left and so many members came up to me inquiring about the recipe.

 

🧄🧀 Cheesy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

A golden, gooey, pull-apart bread that's made to impress — and disappear fast.

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🕊️ “I made two trays of these for a church holiday dinner and my, oh MY, were they popular!”

If you’ve ever brought a dish to a potluck or holiday dinner and watched it disappear within minutes, you know the feeling. You smile humbly while dozens of people ask, “Did you make those rolls?” and “Do you have the recipe?”

These Cheesy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are that kind of recipe — the kind that makes people gather around the breadbasket and then ask for seconds, thirds, and yes, the recipe. They’re soft and fluffy inside, golden and garlicky on the outside, and filled with melty cheese. Easy to bake in bulk and always a hit, this recipe is your go-to for any occasion when you want to feed a crowd and feel like a baking rockstar.

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🍞 What Makes These Rolls So Irresistible?

Three key things make these rolls stand out:

1. Buttery garlic topping that soaks into the bread while it bakes.

2. Melted cheese hidden inside each soft, pillowy roll.

3. A golden, fluffy texture that comes from a simple enriched dough.

You can make these ahead, bake them fresh the day of, or even freeze them — and they’ll still turn out bakery-worthy.

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📜 Ingredient Overview

Let’s walk through the ingredients and why they matter. No mystery — just solid, delicious baking.

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For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
  The base of the dough. Bread flour also works for a slightly chewier roll.

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  Yeast gives rise and lightness. Instant yeast can be substituted with slight adjustment to rise time.

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  Warm milk helps activate the yeast and makes a tender, soft roll.

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  Feeds the yeast and adds a slight sweetness that complements the garlic and cheese.

• 1 ½ tsp salt
  Balances flavors and strengthens the dough.

• 1 large egg
  Enriches the dough and helps with structure.

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  Adds richness and softness.

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For the Filling:

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  Melts beautifully — stringy and gooey. You can sub in cheddar, gouda, or a cheese blend.

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  Sharp flavor, great contrast to the mozzarella.

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For the Garlic Butter Topping:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
  The foundation of the flavor soak.

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Fresh garlic brings a bold, savory note.

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
  Adds freshness and a pop of color.

• Pinch of salt
  Enhances the buttery, garlicky flavor.

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🔧 Equipment You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl or stand mixer with dough hook

• 9x13" baking dish (or two smaller pans)

• Pastry brush

• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

• Oven and timer

• Cooling rack

Optional: Digital kitchen scale for more accurate dough portioning

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

This recipe makes about 18–20 medium-sized rolls — perfect for feeding a crowd.

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🕐 Total Time: 2.5 hours (including rising and baking)

• Prep time: 30 minutes

• First rise: 60–90 minutes

• Assembly time: 20 minutes

• Second rise: 30 minutes

• Bake time: 20–25 minutes

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STEP 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy. This means your yeast is alive and active.

Tip: If it doesn’t foam, start over with fresh yeast.

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STEP 2: Make the Dough

To the yeast mixture, add the melted butter, egg, salt, and about 3 ½ cups of flour. Mix with a wooden spoon or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until a sticky dough forms. Add more flour gradually (up to 4 cups total) until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl but still feels soft and slightly tacky.

Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand or 6–7 minutes in the mixer, until smooth and elastic.

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STEP 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Tip: If your kitchen is cool, preheat your oven to 170°F, turn it off, and let the dough rise inside with the door cracked open.

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STEP 4: Make the Garlic Butter

While the dough rises, melt ¼ cup butter in a small pan. Add minced garlic and sauté over low heat for 1–2 minutes — do not brown. Stir in parsley and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

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STEP 5: Assemble the Rolls

Punch down the risen dough and divide into 18–20 equal portions. Flatten each piece into a small circle and add a pinch of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan in the center. Pinch the dough around the filling and roll into a ball.

Place the filled dough balls seam-side down in a greased 9x13” pan (or two smaller pans), about ½ inch apart.

Brush generously with half of the garlic butter.

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STEP 6: Second Rise

Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy and touching.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

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STEP 7: Bake

Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown on top and the cheese is bubbling.

Optional: In the last 5 minutes, brush the tops with more garlic butter to create a deeper flavor crust.

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STEP 8: Final Touch

Remove from the oven and immediately brush the tops with remaining garlic butter.

Let cool slightly, then serve warm. Pull them apart and watch that cheesy steam rise!

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🙌 Why These Rolls Were the Star of the Church Dinner

When you serve these at a gathering, they bring:

• Comfort: Everyone loves warm bread and cheese.

• Aromatic appeal: Garlic butter aroma fills the room.

• Perfect bite: Soft dough, melted cheese, a little salt, and herbs.

• Visual impact: Golden brown rolls, glistening with butter and parsley.

It’s no wonder they vanished in minutes — and had people lining up for the recipe.

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🧊 Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

🥡 Storing Leftovers:

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Reheat in a warm oven (300°F) for 8–10 minutes, or microwave for 20–30 seconds.

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❄️ Freezer-Friendly:

• Before baking: After shaping and placing in the pan, freeze the tray. Once solid, wrap well. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, let rise for 30 minutes, then bake.

• After baking: Cool completely, freeze individually, and reheat as needed.

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🧠 Troubleshooting Tips

Problem	Cause	Fix
Dough is too sticky	Too much moisture	Add flour 1 tbsp at a time
Rolls are dense	Under-kneaded or short rise	Knead thoroughly and allow full rise time
Cheese leaks out	Poor sealing of rolls	Pinch seams tightly when shaping
Garlic burns	High heat	Sauté gently, don't brown garlic