Savory Caramelized Onion and Herb Butter Rolls
These Savory Caramelized Onion and Herb Butter Rolls offer a delightful twist to your traditional dinner rolls. Infused with sweetly caramelized Vidalia onions and a flavorful blend of fresh herbs, each roll is a fragrant accompaniment to any meal. They come topped with a delicious herb butter that adds a rich, creamy texture. Perfect for gatherings or family dinners, you'll find that these rolls disappear in no time as they complement soups, salads, and main dishes alike. Serve them warm for the best experience!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/2 cup (softened)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Fresh thyme
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Milk
1 1/2 cups (heated)
Butter
1/4 cup (softened)
Butter
2 teaspoons (softened)
Olive oil
1 teaspoon (none)
Sea salt (coarse)
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Active dry yeast
1 package (1/4 oz) (none)
Warm water
1/2 cup (none)
Vidalia onions
2 large (thinly sliced)
Eggs
2 (1 beaten for dough, 1 for egg wash)
Fresh parsley
4 teaspoons (finely chopped, divided)
Fresh thyme
2 teaspoons (finely chopped)
All-purpose flour
5 1/2 cups (divided)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the Herb Butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with 1 tablespoon each of finely chopped fresh parsley and thyme. Mix until well combined, cover, and refrigerate until back to the rolls.
2
Next, make the dough. In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the milk, 1/4 cup butter, olive oil, and sea salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
3
In a small bowl, pour in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over it and let it stand for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
4
In a sauté pan, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of butter and melt over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until they are beautifully browned and caramelized. Remove from the heat and let them cool before chopping.
5
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 beaten egg, 3 teaspoons of parsley, the cooked onions, the cooled milk mixture, and the yeast mixture until combined.
6
Gradually stir in 3 cups of flour until you have a cohesive mixture. Slowly incorporate the remaining flour until the dough is no longer sticky.
7
On a floured surface, knead the dough for 3-5 minutes until smooth. Form it into a disk, place the chopped onions on top, fold the dough in half, and knead to incorporate the onions evenly.
8
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.
9
Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it in half with a knife, then cut each half into four pieces. Each of those pieces should be cut into thirds, yielding a total of 24 small pieces.
10
Roll each piece into a 7-inch long rope. Create a spiral shape by wrapping each rope around itself and pinching the ends together to seal, which will give them a lovely danish-like appearance.
11
Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let them rise again until they are nearly doubled in size, approximately 20-30 minutes.
12
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly beat the remaining egg and brush it over the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining caramelized onions and parsley on top before baking.
13
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with the prepared herb butter for a delightful experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Caramelized Onion and Herb Butter Rolls?
These are fragrant dinner rolls infused with sweet caramelized Vidalia onions and fresh herbs, topped with a rich herb butter.
How many rolls does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 24 small dinner rolls.
What type of onions are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 large Vidalia onions due to their sweet flavor profile.
How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
The onions should be cooked over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes until they are beautifully browned.
What herbs are used in the Savory Caramelized Onion and Herb Butter Rolls?
The recipe uses a combination of fresh parsley and fresh thyme for both the dough and the herb butter.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
While fresh herbs are recommended for the best fragrance, you can substitute with dried herbs using roughly one-third of the amount.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The rolls should be baked in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How long do the rolls need to bake?
Bake the rolls for 18 to 20 minutes or until they achieve a golden brown color.
How many times does the dough need to rise?
The dough requires two rising periods: once after kneading and once after shaping the rolls.
How long is the first rise?
The first rise takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size.
How long is the second rise?
The second rise takes about 20 to 30 minutes once the rolls have been shaped and placed on the baking sheet.
How do I shape the rolls?
Roll each piece into a 7-inch long rope, then create a spiral shape by wrapping the rope around itself and pinching the ends.
What kind of flour is best for these rolls?
The recipe calls for 5.5 cups of all-purpose flour, added gradually until the dough is no longer sticky.
Do I need to bloom the yeast?
Yes, sprinkle the active dry yeast over warm water and let it stand for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
What is in the herb butter topping?
The herb butter is made by combining softened butter with finely chopped fresh parsley and fresh thyme.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
Two eggs are required: one to be beaten and mixed into the dough, and one for the egg wash before baking.
What type of milk should be used?
The recipe requires 1.5 cups of milk, which is heated with butter, olive oil, and sea salt.
Is it necessary to use sea salt?
The recipe specifies 1.5 teaspoons of coarse sea salt for the dough mixture.
How do I incorporate the onions into the dough?
After kneading the dough, place the chopped caramelized onions on top, fold the dough in half, and knead again to distribute them.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing the rolls with a lightly beaten egg before baking gives them a shiny, golden-brown finish.
Should the rolls be served warm or cold?
For the best experience, these rolls should be served warm with the prepared herb butter.
What can I serve these rolls with?
They are an excellent accompaniment to soups, salads, and a wide variety of main dishes.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?
Yes, but you may not need to bloom it in water first; however, the rising times may vary slightly.
How do I know if the dough is kneaded enough?
Knead for 3 to 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and reaches a cohesive consistency.
How do I prevent the dough from being too sticky?
Slowly incorporate the flour one cup at a time until the mixture is no longer sticky to the touch.
What should I do if my yeast doesn't foam?
If the yeast doesn't foam after 5 minutes, it may be inactive or the water may have been too hot or too cold; you should start over with fresh yeast.
Do I need to refrigerate the herb butter?
Yes, once combined, cover and refrigerate the herb butter until you are ready to serve the warm rolls.
Can I use a different oil than olive oil?
While olive oil is specified, you could substitute it with another neutral vegetable oil if necessary.
What size should each dough piece be before shaping?
The dough is divided into 24 equal small pieces before being rolled into ropes.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
The recipe suggests lining the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.