This recipe is the “Holy Grail” of Christmas sides: an incredibly soft, pull-apart texture without needing a stand mixer, crowned with a glossy garlic and herb butter finish.
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Resting time: ~ 1h 30 mins
- Cook time: 20 mins
- Difficulty: Very Easy (Beginner)
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough (The Fluffiness):
- Flour: 500g (Approx. 4 cups All-Purpose Flour)
- Yeast: 7g Instant Yeast (1 packet or 2 ¼ tsp)
- Sugar: 30g (2 tbsp) – helps browning and feeds the yeast
- Salt: 1 ½ tsp
- Warm Milk: 370ml (Approx. 1 ½ cups) – Warm to the touch, not hot! This is the secret to soft rolls.
- Melted Butter: 60g (4 tbsp, unsalted)
For the Glaze (The “Golden Brown” Look):
- 1 Egg beaten with 1 tbsp of water (Egg wash).
For the Topping (The “Garlic Herb Butter”):
- Butter: 50g (3.5 tbsp), melted
- Garlic: 1 to 2 cloves, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder for a milder taste)
- Parsley: 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped very finely (to match the photo)
- Sea Salt: A pinch of flaky salt
👨🍳 Instructions
1. The Mix (No Knead)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
Make a well in the center and pour in the warm milk and the 60g of melted butter.
Mix with a wooden spoon or a sturdy silicone spatula until the flour is completely absorbed. The dough will be sticky and “shaggy”—this is normal! Do not knead.
2. The First Rise
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm place for about 60 minutes (or until the dough doubles in size).
3. Shaping (To get the photo look)
- Punch down the dough to release the air.
- Lightly flour your hands. Divide the dough into 12 to 15 equal pieces.
- Shape them into smooth balls by pulling the edges of the dough underneath and tucking them in to create a smooth surface.
- Visual Tip: To get that little pool of butter on top like in the picture, you can gently press your thumb into the top of each ball to create a tiny shallow dimple.
- Place them in a buttered rectangular baking dish (leave a little space between them, they will expand).
4. The Second Rise
Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
5. Glazing & Baking
Just before putting them in the oven, gently brush each roll with the egg wash (egg + water). This is essential for that appetizing, shiny “Golden Brown” color seen in the image.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until deeply golden.
6. The Magic Finish (Garlic Herb Butter)
While the rolls are baking, mix the 50g of melted butter with the minced garlic and chopped parsley.
The moment the rolls come out of the oven (while piping hot), brush them generously with this mixture. Focus on the center/top of the rolls so the parsley and garlic settle there, recreating the aesthetic of the photo.