This Parker House Roll Recipe comes together easily and bakes into soft, fluffy, bakery-style rolls with a golden exterior and irresistible pull-apart layers.

Recipe originally published on OurZestyLife

Fresh From the Oven Comfort

This Parker House roll recipe is made from scratch with simple pantry staples, yet the rolls taste like something Grandma would pull warm from the oven.
The signature fold sets these Parker House Rolls apart. Before baking, the dough is brushed with butter and folded in half. Then, as the rolls bake, the layers create a soft, pull-apart center with lightly crisp, golden edges.
Serve Parker House Rolls at a holiday spread like Thanksgiving, or a simple Sunday family dinner. Think roast turkey, beef roast, cozy soups, casseroles, or even topped with a ladle of country gravy.
Leftovers are great to make sandwiches the next day!

butter, egg, instant yeast, salt, sugar, milk, and flour to make this parker house roll recipe

Pantry Picks for Parker House Rolls

Dry Ingredients

All purpose flour provides structure and creates a light, tender roll.
That pillowy rise is thanks to the instant yeast. As it activates, it creates tiny air pockets that make the rolls light and fluffy.
Sugar adds sweetness, helps feed the yeast, and contributes to the beautiful golden color as the rolls bake.
Salt will balance sweetness, enhance the buttery flavor, and help control yeast activity for an even rise.

Wet Ingredients

Warm milk helps activate the yeast to create a soft, tender texture.
Melted butter brings moisture and flavor for the best tasting rolls.
Egg helps tenderize the dough and adds a soft, slightly rich flavor.

process to make parker house roll recipe after warm milk has melted the butter

process to make parker house roll recipe before all flour has been added

Possibilities

Garlic Herb Rolls – Brush the tops with a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs before baking for a savory version.
Honey Butter Finish – Stir a little honey into melted butter and brush the rolls right after baking for a sweet, glossy finish.
Cheesy Surprise – Sprinkle shredded cheddar or parmesan inside the folds.

one batch of parker house roll recipe in a clear baking dish before being baked

one batch of parker house roll recipe baked in a clear baking dish

How To Make Parker House Rolls

Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl.
Warm milk and butter, stir in sugar, then add to the flour mixture along with the egg.
Mix, adding flour as needed until a soft dough forms, then let rise until doubled.
Divide dough in half, roll each into a rectangle, brush with butter, fold lengthwise, and cut into 16 rolls.
Place butter side down in a greased baking dish, let rise again, bake until golden, and brush with melted butter.

one baked parker house roll on top of a pan filled

Tips for Truly Tender Rolls

Measure flour right! Whisk flour first, then sprinkle it into the measuring cup and level it. Using too much flour can make rolls dense.
Milk should be warm, not hot. Warm it just enough to melt the butter and activate the yeast.
Let the dough rise fully for soft, fluffy rolls.
Brush with melted butter right after baking for the best flavor and give the rolls a beautiful finish.
Serve warm for the best tasting rolls.
My mother in law taught me to warm her rolls in a brown paper bag at 300˚F for about 8-10 minutes for the best tasting buns!

one parker house roll on a wooden board with more in a basket in the background

Serving & Storing Parker Rolls

Serve these rolls warm with butter for a delicious savory side, or with honey or jam for something more sweet. They pair beautifully with soups, roasts, casseroles, and holiday meals. They also make fantastic mini sandwich buns for leftovers the next day.
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month. To reheat, warm in the oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly to bring back that soft, buttery texture.

More Tasty Sides to Try!

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Parker House Roll Recipe

Donnalea

Servings

Prep 30

Cook 20

Total 2 50

Print Pin

These buttery Parker House Rolls are golden and fluffy, with pull-apart perfection your dinner table has been waiting for.

Equipment

stand mixer
9 x 13 inch baking pan

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour plus more if needed
1 teaspoons salt
1 cup milk
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
½ cup butter
1 medium egg
2 Tablespoons butter to brush

Instructions

To a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook attached, add 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, and 1 teaspoons salt. Mix.
In a saucepan add 1 cup milk and ½ cup butter. Heat* until butter is melted. Add ¼ cup sugar and stir to dissolve.
Add milk mixture to flour and mix on low speed. Scrape sides as needed. In a small bowl, beat 1 medium egg and add to dough mixture. Mix at medium speed for 2 minutes.
At low speed, gradually add the remaining 1 cup flour. Turn speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes until a dough is formed. If dough is sticking to sides, add flour 1 Tablespoon at a time to create a ball, but only enough to do so.
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise for 60 minutes. It should be doubled in size.
Punch down, pulling the sides of dough to the center and press down. Set on a lightly floured surface, cover with a bowl, and allow to rise 15 minutes.
Cut dough into two pieces. Roll each piece to a size of about 9 x 11 inches. Melt 1 Tablespoon butter, and brush rolled out dough.
Cut each section in half lengthwise creating 4 – 4½ x 11 inch pieces. Fold each in half lengthwise and leave a bit of the buttered side exposed. Cut each piece into 4 evenly sized pieces, you will now have 16 pieces.
Grease a 9×13 inch pan with 1 Tablespoon butter. Turn rolls over and place four in a row (the longer side will run parallel with the long side of the dish)
Cover with a towel and rise for about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Bake 20-25 min until golden brown. Remove from oven, cool slightly, then brush each top with butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 213mgPotassium: 77mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

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