Best Homemade Dinner Rolls

Activate yeast. In a small bowl, add 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast and 1/2 Tablespoon sugar. Pour 1 cup warm water (not too hot) over the yeast mixture and let it sit about 10 minutes, or until nice and foamy.

Combine milk mixture in mixer. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a bread hook (or dough hook), stir together 2 Tablespoons butter, the remaining 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 1/2 teaspoon salt. When your yeast mixture is ready, mix until combined.

Add flour. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour. Add in 1/2 cup flour at a time and continue to mix on medium speed, until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides. You’ll know it’s ready when your fingers no longer stick to the dough but it's still soft.

1st rise. Spread shortening or butter across the dough ball and sides of the bowl and cover the bowl with a warm towel. Set by the window and let rise about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Knead. When the dough has risen higher than the bowl, punch it down and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough 2 to 3 minutes.

Divide into equally sized rolls. Cut into 4 pieces. Roll each section into 3 rolls (they should be about 60 grams each). Place into a buttered 9x13-inch pan.

2nd rise and bake. Let the rolls rise again and once they have doubled, place them in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and the center is cooked through. Remove from the oven and brush the tops with butter.

Serve. Sprinkle sea salt on top, if desired. Enjoy!