Amazing 8 Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft

Oh, have I got a recipe for you today! If you think the softest, fluffiest bread you’ve ever eaten came from a professional bakery, you haven’t tried these yet. Seriously, we’re talking about rolls so tender they practically dissolve when they hit your tongue. The secret weapon that makes these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft so unbelievably pillowy is the tangzhong method. I know, it sounds fancy, but trust me, it’s worth the little bit of extra effort!

I remember the first time I tested this recipe in our kitchen. The dough felt unbelievably soft under my hands, and when the rolls finally came out of the oven, everyone on the team immediately stopped what they were doing just to pull one apart. That moment—warm steam, that impossibly tender crumb, and the smell of fresh bread filling the studio—reminded me exactly why I love refining recipes so much. It’s those small joys that make the hours of testing worthwhile. Amelia Ward, our recipe tester, agrees that these are winners!

A cluster of golden-brown Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft on a white plate, with one roll pulled apart showing the fluffy interior.

Why These Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft Are Your New Favorite Rolls Recipes easy no knead from scratch

If you’re hunting for rolls recipes easy enough for a regular Tuesday, but special enough for a holiday table, you’ve found them. Even though these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft require a tiny bit of technique, I promise you; it pays off massively in the texture department! They are unbelievably buttery and stay soft for days, making them perfect for making ahead. You can check out more about my baking philosophy over on my About Me page!

  • The fluffiest texture you can achieve outside of a professional bakery.
  • Rich, buttery flavor because we don’t hold back on the good stuff!
  • While we use a mixer, the steps are so clear that it really feels close to a no knead from scratch approach.

The Magic of Tangzhong for Supersoft Texture

Okay, let’s talk about the star—the tangzhong. This is just a small amount of flour mixed with liquid and cooked until it forms a thick paste. Seriously, that’s it! This paste traps water inside the gluten structure as the bread bakes. What does that mean for you? It means you get impossibly light, cloud-like Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft that stay fresh way longer than your average roll. Trust me on this small step; it’s the key to that incredible softness!

A close-up showing the fluffy interior texture of one of the golden-brown Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 2/7)

Getting ready to bake these amazing Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft is half the fun! Like most good bread recipes, this one has a few distinct sections for ingredients, but don’t let that scare you. It just keeps things organized. The most important thing is making sure your cold ingredients, like the eggs and milk, are at room temperature before you start mixing the main dough. That really helps everything come together smoothly!

Yeast and Tangzhong Components

We need to get our yeast ready to wake up, and we have to mix the little cooked paste called tangzhong first. For the yeast, make sure that water is just right—not too hot, or you’ll kill the yeast! It needs to feel warm to the touch, around 105 to 110°F is perfect.

  • Yeast Mixture: 1 tablespoon active dry yeast whisked with 1/4 cup water (warmed, about 105-110°F).
  • Tangzhong Mixture: 4 tablespoons whole milk, 2 tablespoons water, and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.

Main Dough Ingredients and Egg Wash

Once the tangzhong cools down a bit, we mix everything else in. See how we use 2.5 cups of flour in total? Don’t worry, most of that goes in here! Remember, we need to save one egg for the very end for the pretty wash on top of your delicious rolls.

  • Dough: 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (312.5 g), 1/2 cup whole milk (room temperature), 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 large eggs (room temperature, divided), and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened). We also add 1 tablespoon of water here.
  • Egg Wash: The remaining solitary egg plus 1 tablespoon of water, whisked well!

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 3/7)

This is where the magic happens! Don’t rush this part; the time you take now makes these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft absolutely worth it. I’ve broken down the instructions so you can follow along easily, even if you’re using a stand mixer for the first time!

Preparing the Tangzhong and Activating Yeast

First things first, we need to make sure our yeast is alive and happy! Dump that yeast and the warm water into your mixer bowl and let it sit for a few minutes until it gets foamy and bubbly. While that’s waking up, you’ll make that special tangzhong paste. Put the milk, water, and flour for the tangzhong in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You have to whisk constantly—seriously, don’t walk away! It thickens super fast, usually in about two minutes. Once it’s thick, take it off the heat, keep stirring until it’s an actual paste, and set it aside to cool just a little.

Mixing, Kneading, and First Rise for the Dough

Now we put everything together for the main dough, except for the butter right now. Add the flour, milk, sugar, salt, one egg, and that cooled tangzhong paste into the yeast bowl. Mix it on low speed for about five minutes until it starts looking like a cohesive dough ball. This is where the mixer does the hard work! Next, reduce the speed back to low, and add that softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Wait until the first bit disappears before adding the next one. Once all the butter is in, let the mixer go until the dough is smooth. Plop that beautiful dough into a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rest in a warm place for a whole hour until it’s doubled up in size. Wow!

Shaping and Final Proofing

Once the dough has finished its first rise for your Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft, you need to gently punch the air out. Turn it onto a lightly floured spot and divide it evenly into 8 pieces. Each piece should weigh about 3 ounces each, if you have a kitchen scale! To shape them, take each lump and press it down a little, then roll it under your palm in a circle motion until the top is totally smooth and tight. Place these smooth balls into your prepared springform pan, leaving little gaps between them. Cover the pan again and let them proof (rise again!) for another 30 to 45 minutes. They should look puffy and ready to bake!

A close-up view showing the fluffy interior of freshly baked Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft, pulled apart on a white plate.

For baking, just preheat your oven to 350°F. We’ll finish with the egg wash right before they go in so they get that beautiful golden color. You can see my favorite trick for pistachio pudding bread, which is similar because it uses a stand mixer, right here: Pistachio Pudding Bread Recipe!

Baking Tips for Perfect Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 4/7)

We are so close to having those amazing Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft on the table! Getting them into the oven right is crucial. First, make sure your oven is fully preheated to 350°F. Don’t trust the preheat light; give it ten extra minutes! When you brush on that simple egg wash—which is just one egg whisked with a splash of water—use a pastry brush and be gentle. You want just a thin, even coat over the tops so they get a beautiful, deep golden color.

How do you know when they are done? Looking at the color is great, but the real test is temperature. Aim for an internal temperature of 190°F when you poke them with a thermometer. If the tops look way too brown but the inside isn’t done, just loosely tent a piece of foil over the pan. That keeps the tops from burning while the middles finish baking perfectly. It’s the secret to guaranteed success every time!

Equipment List for Successful Baking

Getting your tools ready before you dive into the dough is just smart baking, right? You don’t want to have to stop mid-mix because you realize the saucepan you need is dirty! For these rolls, we rely on a few things that make the process of making those buttery rolls much easier.

I know some people try to avoid the stand mixer, but honestly, the dough hook attachment is a lifesaver here. It really helps integrate that butter slowly until the dough is perfectly smooth. If you need some inspiration on other bakes that use good equipment, check out my Apple Cinnamon Pretzel Salad!

Here is what you’ll definitely need on your counter before you start:

  • A sturdy Stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. This is what handles all the stretching and folding for us!
  • One Medium saucepan. This is exclusively for making that essential tangzhong paste. Don’t try to eyeball it!
  • A 9-inch springform pan. Since the dough is so light and sticky, the springform makes getting those perfectly baked rolls out without damaging them a breeze.
  • A good Pastry brush. You need this for applying that lovely, shiny egg wash evenly across the tops of the rolls right before baking.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Rolls Recipes easy

Since we are going for that incredibly soft texture, the quality of your core ingredients really matters here. While you can certainly classify this as one of those rolls recipes easy enough to pull off, sticking to the right temperatures is non-negotiable. If you use cold ingredients, the dough just won’t develop that silky structure the tangzhong promises.

For the yeast, please stick to active dry yeast or instant yeast; there’s really no substitute that will bloom correctly in the first step. And remember that butter? It has to be softened, not melted! Melted butter totally changes the bread structure, making it denser. For a little sweetness inspiration that pairs well with buttery bread, check out my Apple Cake with Cream Cheese—it reminds me of the richness we are aiming for here!

Make-Ahead and Storage for Buttery Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 5/7)

One of the best things about these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft is that they are absolutely perfect for making ahead of time. This means you can have that incredible buttery aroma filling your kitchen the next morning without waking up at 4 AM! You can totally manage your timeline here.

The trick is to let the dough go through its first rise, punch it down, and shape those beautiful little balls into the springform pan. Cover the pan tightly—and I mean tightly!—and pop the whole thing right into the refrigerator overnight. This cold proofing process slows everything down.

When you’re ready to bake them the next day, just pull them out and let them sit on the counter, still covered, for about an hour to warm up a tiny bit. Then, just proceed with the egg wash and baking instructions as written. They bake up just as glorious as fresh dough! For keeping them soft after they come out of the oven, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Never put bread like this in the fridge, or it gets hard fast. If you are planning ahead for breakfast, you might want to check out my Pumpkin Overnight Oats for an easy non-baking option!

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Soft Bread Dough

Even the best rolls recipes easy to follow can hit a snag sometimes! Don’t panic if your dough seems a little fussy. If your dough feels way too sticky when you’re mixing it after the butter is incorporated—and I mean sticky where it’s refusing to gather around the hook—add just one teaspoon of flour at a time. Remember, too much flour is the enemy of soft bread, so ease up!

Now, if you get to that second rise and they just seem flat, it usually means the kitchen is too cold for the yeast. Find a warmer spot! Placing the covered pan near a pilot light or in a turned-off oven with the light on usually does the trick to kickstart that final puff. If you want more tips on baking success, check out my guide to Flourless Cottage Cheese Pancakes for handling delicate batters!

Serving Suggestions for Your Buttery Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 6/7)

These gorgeous, buttery Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft are honestly perfection all on their own, especially when slathered with good quality butter while they are still warm. But why stop there?

They are phenomenal alongside a hearty bowl of soup—talk about the ultimate comfort food! And of course, they make the best little side for breakfast. A thin layer of homemade jam or apple butter makes them sing. For a great meal to serve them with, you have to try this French Apple Cider Chicken; the flavors just pair perfectly!

A cluster of shiny, golden-brown Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft, with one roll pulled apart showing the fluffy, soft interior.

Frequently Asked Questions About Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft (H2, Keyword 7/7)

Can I make these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft without a stand mixer?

Oh, absolutely! Trust me, I know not everyone has a stand mixer sitting on the counter. If you’re making these rolls recipes easy by hand, you definitely can. After you mix the initial ingredients together, you’ll have to put in some elbow grease for the kneading part! Expect to knead by hand for a solid 15 to 20 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It’s doable, but be prepared for a little workout! You’ll still get fantastic results, but it won’t quite be the ‘no knead’ experience the mixer provides.

What is the best way to reheat these buttery rolls?

Since these are so buttery, we want to warm them up gently so they recapture that just-baked tenderness. If you have just a couple, the microwave works in a pinch—10 to 15 seconds should do it, wrapped loosely in a damp paper towel. But for the best results, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. That just crisps the outside edge slightly while heating the inside through evenly. If you’re serving them with something hearty like my recipe for the Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl, the oven is the way to go!

Can this recipe be adapted to be a no knead recipe from scratch?

That’s a great question about making these rolls recipes easy and truly no knead from scratch! The honest answer is that the tangzhong requires active mixing at the stove to create that paste, so it can’t be totally no knead. Once the tangzhong is made, however, the mixer keeps the kneading time really short. A true no knead recipe usually relies on a much higher hydration level and a very long, slow fermentation, which changes the texture from this specific style of fluffy milk bread. These are easy because the mixer handles the work!

Share Your Supersoft Baking Experience

Whew! We did it! I am so excited for you to pull these tender, buttery delights out of your oven. Honestly, seeing those golden tops make all those mixing steps worth it, don’t you think?

Now, I absolutely love hearing how these recipes turn out in your kitchens! Seriously, if you made these Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft, please come back and leave a rating in the star system below. Did they live up to the buttery hype? Let me know in the comments if you tried serving them with anything amazing.

And if you took a picture of those perfectly soft rolls, please snap a photo and share it! Tag me on social media—I love seeing your bread baskets. If you need another easy, rewarding baking project next time, you have to try my Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Bowl; it’s a totally different kind of deliciousness!

A cluster of freshly baked Milk Bread Rolls Supersoft, showing a torn piece revealing the fluffy interior and shiny golden-brown top.

Supersoft Milk Bread Rolls

Make these soft, buttery milk bread rolls from scratch. This recipe uses the tangzhong method for an extra tender texture.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
First Rise 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 8 rolls
Course: Baking, Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Yeast Mixture
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup water warmed, about 105-110°F
Tangzhong Mixture
  • 4 tablespoons whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Dough
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (312.5 g)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs room temperature, divided
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon water
Egg Wash
  • 1 remaining egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook attachment
  • Medium saucepan
  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

  1. Combine yeast and water in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Set aside to bloom.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add milk, water, and flour for the tangzhong. Whisk together well, stirring constantly. When the mixture thickens (about 2 minutes), remove it from the heat and continue stirring until a thick paste forms. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and set it aside to cool slightly.
  3. Add flour, milk, sugar, salt, 1 egg, and the cooled tangzhong mixture to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together, about 5 minutes. Adjust with flour or milk if the dough is too wet or dry.
  4. With the mixer still on low, add the softened butter one tablespoon at a time, mixing until each tablespoon is fully incorporated before adding the next.
  5. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm location for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  6. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  7. Punch down the dough, turn it out onto a floured surface, and divide it into 8 equal pieces, about 3 ounces each.
  8. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pressing it down slightly and rolling it under your palm in a circular motion. Keep the dough centered in your palm as you work it until the surface is smooth.
  9. Place the shaped rolls into the prepared pan, spacing them apart.
  10. Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise again until doubled, about 30 to 45 minutes.
  11. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  12. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg and water vigorously until combined and smooth. Brush the tops of the rolls with this egg wash.
  13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. The internal temperature of the rolls should reach 190°F.

Notes

You can prepare the dough ahead of time. After the first rise, you can punch it down, shape the rolls, place them in the pan, cover them, and refrigerate them overnight. Before baking, let them sit at room temperature for about 1 hour, then proceed with the egg wash and baking instructions.

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