Fluffy rolls infused with garlic butter and herbs—these Garlic‑Swirl Rolls are ideal as a side for pasta, soup, or a comforting snack straight from the oven. Easy to customize, fun to make, and sure to impress.
What You’ll Need
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all‑purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (~110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
For the Filling:
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tbsp dried)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Topping (optional):
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- Extra chopped parsley
Tools:
Mixing bowls, whisk, rolling pin, baking sheet or dish, parchment paper, kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Optional Add‑Ins: cheese, caramelized onions, spinach—use your favorite extras in the filling.
How to Make Them
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, eggs, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Gradually mix in flour until dough forms; transfer to a floured surface.
- Knead about 5‑7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1‑1½ hours until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Combine butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Step 3: Shape the Rolls
- Punch down risen dough and roll to approx. 12×18 inches rectangle.
- Spread garlic butter filling evenly over dough.
- Tightly roll the dough from the long edge into a log. Pinch to seal.
- Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
Step 4: Second Rise
- Place slices cut‑side up in a greased baking dish or on a parchment‑lined baking sheet, leaving room to expand.
- Cover and let rise 30‑45 minutes until puffy.
Step 5: Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Optional: Sprinkle Parmesan on top of rolls.
- Bake 20‑25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Serving & Storage
Serving: Warm is best. Serve with soups, salads, pasta, or as a standalone snack. Drizzle extra olive oil, add a sprinkle of chili flakes, or pair with marinara or garlic butter.
Storage:
- Room temp: Store in airtight container for 1‑2 days.
- Refrigerate: Up to a week—wrap well to retain softness.
- Freeze: After cooling, wrap each roll and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in oven before serving.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Yeast not activated: If no foam, the dough won’t rise properly.
- Under/over‑kneading: Too little and dough is dense; too much and it can become tough.
- Skipping rise times: Don’t rush or your rolls will be heavy.
- Using cold ingredients: Warm milk and softened butter help the yeast work.
- Overfilling: Too much butter mixture can make rolls soggy.
- Not preheating oven: Inconsistent heat can affect bake time and texture.
Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh yeast, high‑quality butter, and fresh garlic for best flavor.
- Customize the filling with shredded cheese, herbs, or roasted veggies.
- For colder kitchens, create a warm proofer space (e.g., oven turned to low for a minute, then turned off).
- Use a pizza cutter to slice the log cleanly and evenly.
- Keep an eye on baking time—ovens vary. Rolls should sound slightly hollow when tapped.
- To keep them soft, use foil or airtight wrapping rather than bare plastic.
Garlic‑Swirl Rolls bring a fragrant, buttery twist to bread‑and‑butter sides. With just a little bit of work and lots of reward, they’ll quickly become a favorite for weeknights and special dinners alike. Roll out the dough, layer on that garlicky filling, and bake!