Golden Parker House rolls brushed with melted butter, served warm and fluffy from the oven.

Parker House Rolls

by

Buttery, fluffy & perfect for every occasion

Warm, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth soft these Parker House Rolls are the kind of classic comfort that never goes out of style. With a golden top and pillowy center, they’re the perfect addition to any meal from Thanksgiving feasts to Sunday dinners. Lightly sweet and brushed with butter, these rolls deliver that homemade warmth everyone craves. From Emma’s Cake Studio, this easy recipe proves that you don’t need to be a pro baker to create bakery-quality rolls that disappear the second they hit the table.

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Bake Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: ~2 hours 10 minutes
  • Servings: 12 rolls

Ingredients List

  • ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for folding)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Stand mixer with dough hook (optional but helpful)
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking dish or sheet pan
  • Pastry brush
  • Clean kitchen towel

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, whisk warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix the dough: Add remaining sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Stir in flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead: Knead for 6–8 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if sticky.
  4. First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise 1 hour, or until doubled in size. 🌤️
  5. Shape the rolls: Punch down dough. Roll out into a large rectangle (about ½-inch thick). Cut into rectangles (about 3×4 inches).
  6. Butter & fold: Brush each rectangle with softened butter, fold in half, and lightly pinch edges to seal the fold. Arrange on a greased baking dish, slightly overlapping. 🧈
  7. Second rise: Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes, until puffy.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls 15–18 minutes, until golden brown.
  9. Finish: Brush warm rolls generously with melted butter. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired. ✨

Pro Tips

  • Perfect rise: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot (inside a turned-off oven or near the stove).
  • Make ahead: You can refrigerate the shaped rolls overnight just let them come to room temp before baking.
  • Freezer-friendly: Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months; reheat in the oven for 10 minutes.
  • Sweet version: Brush with honey butter instead of plain butter for an irresistible twist. 🍯

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 roll1804g25g7g1g5g