Classic Parker House Rolls

This is the Best Parker House Rolls recipe, making pull apart rolls that are soft, butter, and so easy. They are brushed with butter before and after baking, making them a melt-in-your-mouth, simply irresistible, dinner roll that everyone loves.

These light and fluffy rolls were a staple at the famous Parker House Boston Hotel in the 19th century. Interestingly, it’s the same hotel that also created the famous Boston cream pie. To kick these up another notch, serve these dinner rolls with garlic butter spread, Strawberry Freezer Jam, or homemade cinnamon honey butter. Simply amazing!

Best Park House Rolls Recipe

These soft and fluffy Parker House rolls are really easy to make (you may be surprised how really easy it is) and they only take a few minutes of active preparation time. Once you realize how easy they, it will be hard to not make them every day.

They’re perfect for the bread basket and can be served alongside any New England food tradition such as Roasted Turkey, Chicken Noodle Soup or warm Marinara. They’re made with a simple yeast dough recipe and if you’re new to working with yeast, no worries—I’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

We add a brush of butter not once but twice! You are going to love these buttery and decadent rolls.

Key Ingredients

The eggs, melted butter, and milk make these rolls super soft and pillowy.

• Warm Water- Make sure it’s between 95 and 110 degrees.  You want it just warm enough to activate the yeast but not kill it.
• Sugar- Slightly sweetens the dough and also feeds the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast: You can use Active or Instant yeast.  Both can be used in this recipe. If you use Instant yeast you don’t have to let it proof.
• Milk- I like to use whole milk when baking but just use what you have on hand.
• Eggs- Large eggs work great
• Butter-  This adds a lot of flavor and keeps the rolls soft.

How To Make Parker House Rolls

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water and let stand for five minutes, or until foamy.
2. Add the melted butter, eggs, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix until combined.
3. Add additional flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is only slightly sticky to the touch (careful not to add too much flour!).
4. Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes, until smooth. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 20 minutes or until double.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Gently punch the dough down and divide it into 2 pieces. Roll each piece of dough until 1/2? thick. Cut into circles with a 3? biscuit cutter. Use the back of a knife and make an indent in the center of the dough. Fold dough over into a half-moon shape. Space evenly on the prepared pan.
6. Brush with melted butter and let rise for an additional 15-20 minutes. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and brush with more melted butter. Enjoy!

Storing and Freezing Instructions

• Make-Ahead- You can make them, shape them and then place them on a baking sheet. Keep the rolls stored in the fridge until ready to bake. Remove them from the fridge while the oven preheats. Bake as directed.
• Freezing- Make and shape the rolls as directed. Freeze for 8-12 hours on a large baking sheet before letting them rise. Transfer the rolls from the baking sheet to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use the rolls, Thaw on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 2-3 hours or until they rise and double in size. Bake as directed.
• Storing Baked Rolls- After the rolls have baked and cooled completely, store them in a covered container or a ziplock bag for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

More Bread Recipes You’ll Love

• Garlic Herb Bread
• Potato Rolls Recipe
• Wheat Dinner Rolls
• Cheddar Bread
• Best French Bread
• Best White Bread
• Einkorn Flour Recipes
• More Bread Recipes
• More Best Sides Recipes

Some of the Best Soup Recipes

Rolls are the perfect side for a big bowl of homemade soup.  Here are some of our favorite soup recipes. 

• Roasted Acorn Soup Recipe- Creamy rich and delicious!
• Broccoli Cheese Soup– So cheesy and loaded with broccoli. 
• Roasted Tomato Soup- Perfect to use up fresh tomatoes. 
• Creamy Cauliflower Soup- Loaded with veggies, yet creamy and delicious!
• Minestrone Soup– An Italian classic recipe.
• Lasagna Soup– all the flavors of lasagna you love, in soup form. 

This recipe for Parker House Rolls makes the most soft and buttery pull apart rolls. They’re an easy dinner roll recipe everyone loves, brushed with butter before and after baking making them even more irresistible.