Make this Parker House Rolls recipe for soft, buttery, fresh-from-the-oven comfort that is perfect for any dinner table.

one Parker House Roll sitting on a wooden board, with remaining Parker house rolls in a basket in the background

Praise For Parker House Rolls

Unlike regular dinner rolls, Parker House Rolls are brushed with butter and folded in half before baking. This creates a soft, pull-apart texture with a lightly crisp, golden crust that practically melts in your mouth.
Made from scratch with simple pantry staples, these rolls taste like they came straight from a bakery, but they’re super easy to make at home.
The light sweetness pairs beautifully with any entree such as roast turkey or beef, and delish as a base for country gravy. Perfect for Thanksgiving or a simple Sunday family dinner.

butter, sugar, salt, egg, yeast, milk, and flour assembled on a wooden board to make Parker House Rolls

Irresistible Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

Flour is the foundation of the dough. All-purpose flour provides structure with a light texture. Bread flour can also be used for a slightly chewier texture.
Yeast is the key to that pillowy rise. As it activates, it creates tiny air pockets that make the rolls soft and fluffy inside.
Sugar not only adds a touch of sweetness, it helps feed the yeast and helps provide that beautiful golden color as they bake.
Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor. It also helps control yeast activity, for a dough that will rise evenly.

Wet Ingredients

Milk enriches the dough and helps create that soft, tender texture. Warm milk helps activate the yeast and adds a subtle richness that you don’t get from water alone.
Melted butter adds moisture, flavor, and that melt-in-your-mouth buttery taste for the most unforgettable rolls.
Egg helps tenderize the dough and contributes to a soft, slightly sweet flavor.

process with warm milk and melted butter, to make Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls dough before final amount of flour has been added

Creative Roll Variations

Add a wholesome touch. Sub in 1 cup whole wheat flour for 1 cup all purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons extra liquid. The rolls will have a hearty, homemade flavor that is slightly more dense.
Before baking, brush the tops with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and parsley to create a herb, garlic roll. Once baked, add a touch of honey to the melted butter and brush the tops for an extra sweet treat, or simply sprinkle with flaky salt.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese between the folds for a savory twist.
Make ahead! Prepare the dough and refrigerate overnight for a slower rise, with even better flavor.

Parker House Rolls in a greased baking dish

baked Parker House Rolls in a baking dish

How To Make Parker House Rolls

Combine flour, salt, and yeast in stand mixing bowl.
Heat milk and butter, add sugar and stir. Add warmed milk to flour mixture and blend.
Whisk egg, then add to the milk flour combination. Mix well. Continue to add flour until dough forms into a ball. Allow to rise in greased pan until doubled in size.
Cut dough into 2 pieces. Roll each piece into a size of about 9×11 inches and brush with butter.
Cut each piece into 2 to create 4 pieces. Fold each one in half lengthwise, leaving a bit of buttered dough exposed. Cut each piece into 4 for a total of 16 rolls.
Into a greased baking dish, place each roll with exposed butter side down. Allow to rise.
Bake until golden, then brush with melted butter.

Parker House Rolls in a basket with one roll on the side, and more in the baking dish.

Tips for Truly Tender Rolls

To measure flour, whisk first and sprinkle into a measuring cup. Then level with a straight edge. This is important because using too much flour can create dense rolls.
Warm (not hot) milk helps the yeast activate perfectly. Warm milk just enough to melt the butter for the perfect temperature.
Let dough rise fully for a fluffy, soft and tender texture.
Brush with butter after baking, while it is optional, is highly recommended for delish buttery flavor!
Serve rolls warm for best results.

A Hot Tip!

To warm my Parker house rolls perfectly, I place them in a brown paper bag in a 300˚F oven for 8- 10 minutes for that fresh from the oven taste!

one Parker House Roll served on a white plate with broccoli and pork stew in the background

From Oven to Table

Serve these Parker House rolls fresh from the oven, or slightly warmed, with extra butter, honey, or jelly for an unforgettable side. They pair perfectly with your fave soup or casserole plus they make the best leftover sandwich buns.
To store, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month. Simply reheat in the oven, or just a couple seconds in the microwave, to restore that fresh, homemade, buttery texture.

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Parker House Rolls

Super easy to make using simple ingredients, this Parker House Rolls Recipe brings that classic bakery warmth and homemade comfort to every meal.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Rise Time 2

Total Time 2 50

Servings 16

Author Donnalea Ferguson

Equipment

Stand mixer

Saucepan

9×13 Baking Dish

Ingredients

Instructions

To a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook attached, add 3 cups of flour, yeast, and salt.
In a saucepan add milk and ½ cup butter. Heat* until butter is melted. Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
Add milk mixture to flour and mix on low speed. Scrape sides as needed. Beat egg and add to dough mixture. Mix at medium speed for 2 minutes.
At low speed, gradually add the remaining 1 cup flour. Turn speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes until a dough is formed. If dough is sticking to sides, add flour 1T at a time to create a ball, but only enough to do so.
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise for 60 min. It should be doubled in size.
Punch down, pulling the sides of dough to the center and press down. Set on a lightly floured surface, cover with bowl, and allow to rise 15 min.
Cut into two pieces. Roll each piece to a size of about 9 x 11. Melt 1 T butter, and brush rolled out dough.
Cut each section in half lengthwise creating 4 – 4½ x 11 inch pieces. Fold each in half lengthwise and leave a bit of the buttered side exposed. Cut each piece into 4 even sized pieces. This will create 16 pieces.
Grease a 9×13 inch pan with 1 Tablespoon butter. Turn rolls over and place four in a row (the longer side will be parallel with the long side of the dish)
Cover with a towel and rise for about 45 min.
Preheat oven to 350. Bake 20-25 min until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly, then brush each top with butter.

Notes

*Alternately heat in the microwave just until the butter melts in the milk.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Bread

Cuisine American

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