Here’s our visual guide for how to shape dinner rolls.
Trust us: Its so much easier than you think!
Shaping dinner rolls comes down to just five easy steps.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Heres how to shape perfect dinner rolls every time.
Some recipes call this first rise the bulk proof or first proof.
A kitchen scale is helpful too, especially if you want evenly sized rolls.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Divide the Dough
Lightly sprinkle your work surface with flour.
Check your recipesome dont require it because the dough isnt sticky.
Turn your dough out onto it and gently pat it into a rectangle.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Use your knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into even pieces.
Your recipe will tell you how many pieces to divide the dough into.
Some bakers like tocutsquares and others prefer a triangular pizza slice-like shape.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Prefer precisely evenly sized rolls?
Weigh the whole dough with a kitchen scale.
Divide the total weight by the number of rolls you need.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Gently pinch the pulled edges together.
Turn the ball over so that the seam side is facing down on your work surface.
Simple Tip!
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
This is especially helpful if you live in a dry climate or have lots of rolls to shape.
Roll the Dough
Cup your dominant right over the ball of dough.
Working from your elbow, move your hand in a small circular motion, gently dragging the ball along.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
This takes a little practice, but youll start feeling the ball tightening and the surface getting smooth.
Arrange the Dough For Baking
This last step depends on your recipe.
Once shaped, most dinner rolls require a second, shorter rise before baking.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Try not to disturb them during this rise.
All that work you put into shaping them will yield perfect, fluffy, tender dinner rolls.
