These soft, fluffy and buttery bread rolls are perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or serving warm with your favorite meal. The rolls are light, tender, and beautifully golden on top. Using simple ingredients, you can make a delicious homemade bread that is soft enough to pull apart with your hands.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- First Rise: 60–90 minutes
- Second Rise: 30–45 minutes
- Baking Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 small bread rolls
Ingredients
- 200 g strong flour or bread flour
- 170 g milk, lukewarm
- 20 g sugar
- 3 g dry yeast
- 2 g salt
- 10 g unsalted butter, melted
Optional for finishing:
- A little extra melted butter for brushing the warm rolls
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Warm the Milk
Pour the milk into a small bowl or cup and warm it slightly. The milk should be lukewarm, not hot. If it is too hot, it can affect the yeast.
Add the dry yeast and a small pinch of the sugar. Stir gently and leave it for about 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes slightly foamy.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add:
- Strong flour
- Remaining sugar
- Salt
Mix everything together.
Keep the salt separate from the yeast mixture until you begin combining the ingredients.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Pour the activated yeast and milk mixture into the bowl with the flour.
Mix with a spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms.
The dough may feel slightly sticky at first. This is normal and helps create soft, fluffy rolls.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes.
You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
Knead until the dough becomes:
- Smooth
- Soft
- Elastic
- Slightly stretchy
If the dough is very sticky, avoid adding too much extra flour, as this can make the finished bread dense and dry.
Step 5: Add the Butter
Gradually add the 10 g melted unsalted butter to the dough.
Continue kneading for another 3–5 minutes until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and soft.
The general method of kneading the dough until smooth and elastic, followed by proofing and shaping into equal rolls, is consistent with standard soft milk-bread techniques.
Step 6: First Rise
Shape the dough into a smooth ball.
Place it in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap, a lid, or a clean kitchen towel.
Leave the dough in a warm place for approximately 1 to 1½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 7: Divide and Shape
Once the dough has risen, gently press it down to release the excess air.
Transfer it to your work surface and divide it into 8–10 equal pieces.
Take each piece and shape it into a smooth ball. To do this, pull the edges of the dough toward the center and pinch them together. Turn the dough over and gently roll it against the work surface until smooth.
Step 8: Arrange the Rolls
Place the dough balls into a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking pan.
Arrange them close together with a small amount of space between each roll. As they rise, they will expand and create the beautiful pull-apart bubble bread effect.
Step 9: Second Rise
Cover the pan loosely with a clean towel or plastic wrap.
Allow the rolls to rise again for approximately 30–45 minutes, or until they look noticeably puffy and have expanded.
Step 10: Preheat the Oven
While the rolls are finishing their second rise, preheat your oven to:
170°C / 340°F
Step 11: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15–20 minutes.
The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the rolls.
The rolls are ready when the tops are beautifully golden brown and the bread is fully baked through. Baking soft milk-style rolls around 160–170°C for roughly 15–20 minutes is a common approach, though oven performance and roll size can change the timing.
Step 12: Brush with Butter
Remove the freshly baked rolls from the oven.
While they are still warm, brush the tops with a little melted butter. This gives the bread a beautiful shine and helps keep the crust soft and tender.
Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Perfectly Soft Bread Rolls
- Use lukewarm milk: Hot milk can damage the yeast.
- Do not add too much flour: A slightly soft dough usually produces fluffier bread.
- Knead well: Proper kneading helps develop the gluten structure and creates a soft, elastic texture.
- Let the dough rise fully: Do not rush either rising stage.
- Brush with butter: This keeps the tops soft and adds a delicious buttery flavor.
- Serve warm: These rolls are especially delicious when fresh from the oven.
How to Serve
Enjoy these soft bubble bread rolls:
- With butter and jam
- As breakfast bread
- With soup or pasta
- As dinner rolls
- For sandwiches or mini burgers
- Warm with honey or chocolate spread
Enjoy your homemade Softest Bubble Bread – golden on the outside, incredibly soft and fluffy on the inside! 🍞✨
