Parker House Rolls are soft, buttery, delicious rolls that bake up easily in a large pan to feed a crowd. Sprinkled with salt and rosemary, they are the perfect addition to any meal.
We are at bread baking again, or should I say Ken is. He is the bread guy. Check out this gorgeous Braided White Bread or our Garlic Knots. Is bread making a manly thing? I think so. He loves getting in there and creating gorgeous bread from a lump of flour and water. It is rewarding. I chose Parker House Rolls for him to do. He always wants to get too adventurous, which is fine, but the theme this week is Thanksgiving Dinner Bread. Do you really have time to do an elaborate bread for Thanksgiving? I think not.
So a simple yet delicious pan of Parker House Rolls fits the bill for me. You can have these made and in the fridge up to 6 hours before serving. When the turkey comes out to rest, in goes the rolls to bake. Couldn’t be easier. Or try our Butter Swim Biscuits, these are drool-worthy.
Today’s host is Holly from A Baker’s House, and a big thank you goes out to her for all her hard work!!
I love fresh bread. There is nothing homier than seeing it rising, and then the aroma filling the house when it is baking. We did a little twist on traditional Parker House Rolls by adding just a bit more flavor. Instead of just plain milk, Ken used buttermilk.
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What are in Parker House Rolls?
Buttermilk gives these rolls a slight tang; vegetable shortening is used so that the rolls won’t spread too much and yeast gives them the perfect rise.
We like to spice them up just slightly, so after buttering the tops, we added a sprinkling of garlic salt and rosemary. This pan of buns you would be proud to present to your family and friends at the Thanksgiving table.
Ingredients
- Active dry yeast
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable shortening
- Sugar
- Kosher salt
- Large eggs, room temperature
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter or more for topping
- Garlic salt
- Rosemary crushed slightly
Why are They Called Parker House Rolls?
Why are they called Parker House Rolls? Where did Parker House Rolls come from? Well, according to Wikipedia, they were invented at the Parker House Hotel in Boston and are still made there to this day. An angry chef, during the 1870s, threw unfinished dough in the oven, giving it a dented look, and that is where they were born.
They are made by flattening an oval piece of dough and folding it in half. They are usually quite soft and buttery, and I thought would be perfect for Thanksgiving.
How to Make Parker House Rolls
- Whisk together the yeast and a 1/4 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Set aside to stand for 5 min.
- Heat the buttermilk in a small pan until warm. Mix together the shortening, sugar, and salt in a large bowl of a standup mixer. Add the warm milk. Whisk together, breaking up the shortening if it is not melting. Whisk in the yeast and the eggs.
Change the attachment to a dough hook and start to add the cups of flour. Continue until a dough forms. Continue to rotate dough for one minute, making sure all the flour is incorporated.
- Remove dough to a floured surface and knead for 4-5 min. Place dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap, loosely, and allow the dough to rise until doubled, rise in a warm place.
- Melt the butter and brush some of it into a 9×13″ pan. Punch dough down.
Making the Rolls
- Divide dough into four equal portions. Working with one portion at a time on a lightly floured surface, roll out to 12×6 inches.
- Cut into 3, 2″ strips and then each strip into 3, 4×2″ rectangles. I like to cut these freehand as opposed to a biscuit cutter; you then use up all the dough.
- Brush half the rectangle with butter and fold the unbuttered side over. Allow it to overhang a 1/4″. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish, side by each creating a long row.
- Continue with the remaining dough creating four rows of rolls.
Brush the tops with butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or as long as 6 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F. Bake the rolls for 25-35 min. or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and brush with melted butter again, sprinkle on garlic salt and rosemary. Serve warm.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Parker House Rolls #BreadBakers
Ingredients
- 1 envelope active dry yeast
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter or more for topping
- Garlic salt
- Rosemary crushed slightly
Instructions
- Whisk together the yeast and a 1/4 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Set aside to stand for 5 min.
- Heat the buttermilk in a small pan until warm. Mix together the shortening, sugar and salt in a bowl of a standup mixer. Add the warm milk. Whisk together, breaking up the shortening if it is not melting. Whisk in the yeast and the eggs.
- Change the attachment to a dough hook and start to add the flour. Continue until a dough forms. Continue to rotate dough for one minute, making sure all the flour is incorporated. Remove dough to a floured surface and knead for 4-5 min. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat all sides. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in a warm place.
- Melt the butter and brush some of it into a 9×13" pan. Punch dough down. Divide dough into four equal portions. Working with one portion at a time on a lightly floured surface, roll out to 12×6 inches. Cut into 3, 2" strips and then each strip into 3, 4×2" rectangles. Brush half the rectangle with butter and fold the unbuttered side over. Allow it to overhang a 1/4". Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish, side by each creating a long row. Continue with the remaining dough creating four rows of rolls.
- Brush the tops with the butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 min. or as long as 6 hours. Bake the rolls in a preheated 350F oven for 25-35 min. Remove from oven and brush the tops again with butter, sprinkle on garlic salt and rosemary. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Bread Bakers
Look at all the wonderful bread for everyone for the holidays, enjoy!!
- Brown Butter Sage Biscuits by Sophia at Sweet Cinnamon & Honey
- Butterflake Rolls by Anshie at Spice Roots
- Buttermilk Rolls by Renee at Magnolia Days
- Cast Iron Parker House Rolls by Veronica at My Catholic Kitchen
- No-Knead Dinner Rolls by Heather at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Parker House Rolls by Tara at Noshing With The Nolands
- Pumpkin and Rosemary Bread by Rocío at kids&chic
- Pumpkin Pani Popo by Kelly at Passion Kneaded
- Soft and Tender Dinner Rolls by Stacy at Food Lust People Love
- Sourdough Cornbread Rolls with Sage by Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Sweet Potato Rolls by Cindy at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Tomato Herb Loaves by Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Zopf – Braided Swiss Milk Bread by Carola at En la Cocina de Caro
Comments & Reviews
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
Love the shot of the roll with butter on, I could easily dunk this in a nice steaming bowl of soup.
Kelster says
These remind me of a mini version of Jamaican coco bread. Love the crumb. I’ll have to try this.
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I need to add these rolls to my Thanksgiving baking list as I know my family will love them!
Robin @ A Shaggy Dough Story says
For some reason, I’ve never tried making Parker House rolls, an oversight that needs to be rectified right now, thanks to you and Ken. Beautiful rolls!
veronica gantley says
I love that you made Parker House Rolls too. They look light as a feather.
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I need to add these rolls to my Thanksgiving baking list as I know my family will love them!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
Bread and barbecue. I guess cooking that starts with a “b” is manly, right? Those rolls are beautiful Ken!
Stacy says
Ken is a star! I love the addition of buttermilk, Tara, and will definitely be trying this recipe. The butter on the top is the best part and you’ve made it even more special with the sprinkles of rosemary and garlic salt. Please tell Ken I said, “Well done!”
Angela says
Oh wow!!! Those are some fabulous looking rolls!!! I am thinking definitely perfect for my thanksgiving table! thanks for sharing the recipe!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Thanks Ken for the switch to buttermilk. Tara these turned out gorgeous!
Debi @ Life Currents says
Mmmm, these look great! I’d love to have these on the Thanksgiving table!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love, love, love these!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Maureen!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
mmmmmm love these rolls-I would love to eat a dozen!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Kayle!
Dan from Platter Talk says
These look good enough to eat! By the panfull. 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Dan!
Holly says
You said it perfectly– there is something wonderful about staring with flour and water, adding some yeast, and ending up with soft, fluffy, rolls! These are lovely and perfect for a holiday feast!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Holly!! Such simple ingredients, break making is really quite amazing!
Sophie says
These look so tasty and fluffy! And I love the rosemary! 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you Sophie!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love, love, love these!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
mmmmmm love these rolls-I would love to eat a dozen!
Dan from Platter Talk says
These look good enough to eat! By the panfull. 🙂
Renee says
What a gorgeous pan of rolls! You are so lucky to have a bread baking husband. Wow.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you Renee!