If you are craving a dinner roll that’s soft, buttery, and bursting with flavor, look no further than the Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe. These rolls blend the classic rich, fluffy texture of Parker House rolls with the aromatic punch of fresh garlic butter and earthy sage, creating an irresistible side to any meal. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or just want to elevate a simple dinner, this recipe is your new secret weapon for unforgettable bread that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe right starts with simple, high-quality ingredients. Each item contributes to the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that beautiful golden color that makes these rolls so inviting.
- All-purpose flour (3 ¼ – 3 ½ cups): Provides the sturdy yet tender base for the dough, with extra for dusting to prevent sticking.
- Instant quick rise yeast (1 packet / 2 1/4 tsp): Ensures a quick and reliable rise for fluffy rolls.
- Kosher salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances dough flavor without overpowering it.
- Whole milk (1 cup, warmed): Adds richness and moisture, promoting a soft crumb.
- Honey (3 tablespoons): Gives a gentle sweetness that balances the savory garlic butter.
- Salted butter (4 tablespoons, softened): Incorporated in the dough for richness.
- Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds ingredients and enriches the dough’s texture.
- Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons, softened): For making the flavorful garlic butter to spread.
- Garlic cloves (3, finely minced or grated): Infuses the butter with a delicious garlic aroma and taste.
- Sage leaves (12): Adds a subtle earthy, herbal note that perfectly complements the garlic.
- Flaky sea salt (¼ teaspoon or more): Sprinkled on top to provide delightful bursts of seasoning and crunch.
How to Make Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF and generously greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This simple preparation ensures your rolls won’t stick and bake evenly to a perfect golden hue.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In your stand mixer’s bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and kosher salt. Add the warm milk, honey, room temperature egg, and softened salted butter. Using your dough hook attachment, mix the ingredients until fully incorporated, which usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, don’t hesitate to sprinkle in a bit more flour; you want a soft but manageable dough. Then cover with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for between 15 minutes and a few hours—this gives the yeast time to activate and build flavor.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
While the dough rests, create the magic spread: in a small bowl, mix the softened unsalted butter with the finely minced or grated garlic. This blend will deliver that irresistible garlic punch that makes these Parker House rolls so memorable.
Step 4: Roll and Shape the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and turn out your dough. Punch it down gently to release any air, then divide it in half. Roll each portion into a 12-inch square about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the garlic butter evenly over each square, reserving any leftovers for brushing the rolls later.
Step 5: Cut and Roll Into Spirals
Cut each square into 6 strips. Take each strip and roll it into a tight spiral. This shape creates the classic fluffy layers Parker House rolls are known for. Place the spirals seam side down in your greased baking dish, nestling them next to each other so they can rise up beautifully together.
Step 6: Let Rolls Rise and Add Sage
Cover your dish and allow the rolls to rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes, until they become nice and puffy. Then carefully place one fresh sage leaf on top of each roll. This little touch of herbal fragrance takes these rolls from delicious to absolutely show-stopping. For an advanced twist, you can even cover and refrigerate the rolls overnight to develop even more flavor.
Step 7: Bake and Finish
Bake the rolls in your preheated oven for 18 to 25 minutes, until perfectly golden brown. As soon as they come out, brush them generously with the reserved garlic butter and sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top. Not only does this add flavor, but the flaky salt also gives you a lovely subtle crunch. Serve your Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls warm, pulling them apart with eager hands and perhaps adding a bit more butter for extra indulgence.
How to Serve Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe
Garnishes
A few fresh sage leaves scattered around your serving platter add an inviting pop of green and enhance the herbal aroma. You can also consider a light sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or a few crushed red pepper flakes for subtle complexity.
Side Dishes
These rolls pair wonderfully with hearty soups like creamy tomato basil or rich butternut squash. They are equally perfect alongside roasted meats or holiday spreads, soaking up gravies and sauces with each fluffy bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, serve these rolls in a rustic basket lined with a cozy kitchen towel to keep them warm. Or arrange them on a wooden board with small bowls of compound butters or herb-infused olive oils for a casual yet elegant touch that invites dipping and sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your rolls, store any leftovers in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. They remain soft and delicious for up to 2 days, making them perfect for next-day sandwiches or snacks.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. Once cooled completely, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating
To bring your rolls back to warm, fluffy perfection, wrap them in foil and heat at 300ºF for about 10 to 15 minutes. For an extra crispy crust, unwrap in the last few minutes. You can also microwave individual rolls for a few seconds but watch closely to avoid drying out.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh sage with dried sage in this recipe?
While fresh sage is ideal for its vibrant flavor and color, you can use dried sage in a pinch. Use about one-third the amount and sprinkle it into the garlic butter mixture rather than placing leaves on top to avoid a bitter taste.
Is it possible to make this recipe without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand on a floured surface. It may take a little longer and require some elbow grease, but the results will be just as delightful.
How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?
The rolls should be a deep golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should read about 190ºF.
Can I use all unsalted butter instead of salted in the dough?
Yes, you can substitute unsalted butter. Just make sure to add a pinch more salt to the dough to balance the flavors.
What’s the best way to get fluffy rolls every time?
The key is properly activating the yeast and allowing enough rising time. Also, make sure you don’t add too much flour, as that can make rolls dense. Using warm milk and room temperature ingredients helps create the perfect environment for fluffiness.
Final Thoughts
If you want to impress your family and friends with a roll recipe that’s bursting with garlic butter goodness and savory sage, the Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe is your go-to. It’s approachable, rewarding, and makes every meal feel like a special occasion. Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into the delightful world of homemade bread bliss. Trust me, once you try these, you will want to keep baking them for years to come.
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Best Garlic Butter Parker House Rolls with Sage Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes plus rising time
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Parker House Rolls with Garlic Butter are soft, fluffy, and irresistibly buttery, perfect for any meal. Made with a delicate garlic butter spread and topped with fresh sage, these classic rolls are elevated to something truly special. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, they’re ideal for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 ¼ – 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1 packet instant quick rise yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup whole milk (warmed)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
Garlic Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced or grated)
- 12 leaves sage
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent the rolls from sticking.
- Make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, instant quick rise yeast, and kosher salt. Add the warm milk, honey, room temperature egg, and softened salted butter. Using a dough hook attachment, mix until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, gradually add the extra 1/4 cup flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to up to a few hours to allow it to rise slightly.
- Prepare garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with finely minced or grated garlic, mixing well to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Roll out the dough: Slightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough. Punch it down gently to release any air bubbles and divide it into two equal halves. Roll each half into a 12-inch square about 1/4-inch thick for easy layering of garlic butter.
- Apply garlic butter: Spread the prepared garlic butter evenly over each dough square, reserving any leftover butter for brushing after baking and serving.
- Cut dough into strips: Cut each buttered square into 6 strips, creating 12 strips total.
- Form rolls: Roll each strip tightly into spirals and place them seam side down in the prepared baking dish, arranging them close but not too crowded.
- Let rolls rise: Cover the baking dish and let the rolls rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes until puffy. Place one fresh sage leaf on top of each roll. Optionally, you can refrigerate the rolls overnight before baking.
- Bake the rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven, brush them generously with the remaining garlic butter, and sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top. Serve warm, pulling them apart to enjoy the soft, buttery texture.
Notes
- The dough can be left to rise longer at room temperature or refrigerated overnight for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust garlic quantity in the butter to your preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in addition to sage for variation.
- Use salted butter in the dough and unsalted in the garlic butter for balanced seasoning.
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
