Grab For Eats If you’re looking for the perfect homemade bread that brings a touch of comfort and indulgence to any meal, look no further than the famous O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe. Known for their irresistible soft, fluffy texture and subtle sweetness, these rolls have become a beloved dish at O’Charley’s restaurants across the country. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or just craving a warm snack, O’Charley’s rolls are sure to hit the spot. This easy-to-follow recipe lets you recreate these soft, buttery rolls right in your own kitchen.
What Makes O’Charley’s Rolls So Special?
O’Charley’s is a well-loved American restaurant chain that serves classic comfort food with a Southern flair. One of their standout dishes is their famous dinner rolls. These pillowy soft rolls, often served warm with butter, are a signature item at O’Charley’s and have earned a reputation for being the highlight of any meal. The recipe for these rolls combines simple ingredients, but the end result is absolutely magical — a roll that’s slightly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and perfect for sopping up gravy or dipping in soups.
Over time, the popularity of O’Charley’s rolls has only grown. People adore their light, fluffy texture and the irresistible smell that fills the kitchen when baking. Now, thanks to this recipe, you can enjoy them at home without having to step foot in the restaurant.
Essential Utensils for Making the O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe
Before you begin making O’Charley’s Rolls, gather the following utensils:
- Large Mixing Bowl: To combine all your ingredients.
- Whisk: For mixing the yeast and other ingredients.
- Baking Sheet: To bake the rolls on.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accurate measurements for the ingredients.
- Kitchen Towel: To cover the dough while it rises.
- Small Bowl: For mixing the milk and sugar glaze.
- Pastry Brush: To apply the milk glaze and melted butter.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe
Making the O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe at home is easier than you might think. You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients — just the basics. Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need:
- Bread Flour (3 Cups): The key to these rolls’ chewy and soft texture is bread flour. Unlike all-purpose flour, bread flour has a higher protein content, which helps create the right structure for the dough.
- Lukewarm Milk (1 Cup): Milk makes these rolls incredibly tender and moist. Be sure to warm it slightly, not too hot, as you don’t want to kill the yeast.
- Brown Sugar (¼ Cup): Brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that enhances the flavor of the rolls without making them too sugary.
- Yeast (½ Ounce): Yeast is essential for helping the rolls rise and achieve that light, airy texture we all love.
- Egg (1 Large): An egg adds richness to the dough and contributes to the rolls’ soft texture.
- Unsalted Butter (½ Cup): Butter helps create a rich, tender roll, and it’s brushed on top after baking for that golden finish.
- Salt (¼ Tsp): Just a pinch of salt is enough to balance out the sweetness of the dough and enhance the overall flavor.
With just these few ingredients, you can whip up a batch of delicious rolls that will make any meal feel like a special occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe
The best part about this O’Charley’s Rolls recipe is how simple it is. Even if you’ve never baked bread before, this recipe is beginner-friendly and easy to follow.
Step 1 – Prepare the Yeast Mixture: Start by mixing together the lukewarm milk, egg, brown sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Stir until everything is well combined, and let the yeast activate. This will take just a few minutes.
Step-2
Step 2 – Add the Flour: Gradually add the bread flour to the yeast mixture, stirring to form a dough. You can use your hands to knead the dough at this point. It’s best not to add all the flour at once; instead, add it in increments so that you can achieve the right consistency.
Step 3 – Knead the Dough: Once the dough begins to come together, lightly oil your surface and hands and knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes. The dough should be soft and stretchy but not sticky.
Step 4 – Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 5 – Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball, making sure they are smooth and round.
Step 6 – Let the Rolls Rise Again: Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, spacing them out slightly. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 40 minutes.
Step 7 – Add a Sweet Milk Glaze: While the rolls are rising, mix a bit of milk and sugar together in a small bowl. This will be brushed over the rolls before baking to give them a slightly sweet and glossy finish.
Step 8 – Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, brush them with the milk mixture, sprinkle on a little sesame (optional), and bake for about 30 minutes. The rolls should be golden brown on top.
Step 9 – Brush with Butter: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter. This gives the rolls an extra layer of richness and flavor.
Step 10 – Serve and Enjoy!: Once the butter has melted into the rolls, cover them with a kitchen towel for about 15 minutes to allow the rolls to soften and absorb the flavors. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Best Side Dishes to Pair with O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe
O’Charley’s rolls are incredibly versatile and can complement nearly any dish. Here are some great ideas for what to serve with these delicious rolls:
- Meat Sauces: Whether it’s a hearty beef stew (try our Dinty Moore Beef Stew Recipe), a rich meatball marinara, or a classic meat sauce, these rolls are perfect for soaking up every last drop.
- Sloppy Joes: The slightly sweet flavor of O’Charley’s rolls pairs beautifully with the tangy, savory taste of Sloppy Joes like our Heinz Sloppy Joe Recipe.
- Salads: Light salads with fresh greens, such as a Caesar or garden salad, balance out the richness of the rolls and make for a more complete meal.
- Soups: These rolls go wonderfully with a variety of soups. Try them with a creamy tomato soup, chicken noodle, or a warm bowl of chowder such as our Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe or Red Lobster Clam Chowder Recipe.
- Beverages: O’Charley’s rolls are great with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or even a milkshake for a sweet treat. They also pair nicely with a glass of red wine or a light juice.
Holidays Perfect for Serving O’Charley’s Rolls
These rolls are not just for everyday meals; they’re perfect for special occasions too! Here are some holidays where O’Charley’s Rolls will make an excellent addition to the table:
- Christmas: Warm, soft rolls are a holiday classic, and these O’Charley’s rolls are no exception. Serve them alongside your holiday feast for a festive touch.
- Thanksgiving: A perfect companion to turkey, stuffing, and gravy, O’Charley’s rolls will make your Thanksgiving meal even more special.
- Easter: Add a little sweetness to your Easter brunch or dinner with these soft rolls.
- New Year’s Eve: Celebrate the new year with a cozy meal, and O’Charley’s rolls are the perfect addition to any party.
- Family Gatherings: Anytime you have the family over, these rolls will add a comforting and tasty touch to the spread.
Simple to Make, Warm and Delicious O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Kitchen Towel
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ oz yeast
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: Start by mixing together the lukewarm milk, egg, brown sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Stir until everything is well combined, and let the yeast activate. This will take just a few minutes.
- Add the Flour: Gradually add the bread flour to the yeast mixture, stirring to form a dough. You can use your hands to knead the dough at this point. It’s best not to add all the flour at once; instead, add it in increments so that you can achieve the right consistency.
- Knead the Dough: Once the dough begins to come together, lightly oil your surface and hands and knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes. The dough should be soft and stretchy but not sticky.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball, making sure they are smooth and round.
- Let the Rolls Rise Again: Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, spacing them out slightly. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 40 minutes.
- Add a Sweet Milk Glaze: While the rolls are rising, mix a bit of milk and sugar together in a small bowl. This will be brushed over the rolls before baking to give them a slightly sweet and glossy finish.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, brush them with the milk mixture, sprinkle on a little sesame(optional), and bake for about 30 minutes. The rolls should be golden brown on top.
- Brush with Butter: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter. This gives the rolls an extra layer of richness and flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy!: Once the butter has melted into the rolls, cover them with a kitchen towel for about 15 minutes to allow the rolls to soften and absorb the flavors. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Tips
- Don’t Over-knead: Knead the dough just enough to make it soft and smooth. Over-kneading can result in dense, tough rolls.
- Watch the Rise Time: Allow the dough to rise fully before baking, but don’t let it over-rise. If the dough rises too much, the rolls may become hard instead of soft.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your milk and butter are at room temperature to help the dough come together more easily.
- Brush with Butter: After baking, brush the rolls with melted butter for an extra layer of flavor and softness.
Nutrition
A Sweet Ending: Enjoy Your Homemade O’Charley’s Rolls!
This O’Charley’s Rolls Recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves soft, buttery rolls. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create these delicious rolls at home and enjoy them with family and friends. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday meal or just for a cozy dinner, they’re sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So, go ahead and give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!
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