Parker House Style Honey Butter Rolls

Honey Butter Parker House Rolls

These soft, golden Parker House rolls are rich with butter, lightly sweetened with honey, and finished with a warm honey-butter glaze and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. They’re perfect for holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, or whenever you want a bakery-style roll fresh from the oven.

I serve them with each and every holiday dinner, and they never disappoint. The kids love them and can’t get enough. They are pillowy, buttery and delicious! I have made them over and over and each time they get better and better the more than you make them.

You will become an expert overtime. Once you get the hang of making bread, it becomes an obsession!

These rolls are usually the first food that runs out.

Few dinner rolls are as beloved as Parker House rolls. Known for their soft, pillowy texture and rich buttery flavor, these classic rolls originated in the late 1800s at the historic Omni Parker House in Boston. According to culinary tradition, a baker accidentally folded the dough before baking, creating the signature tender layers that made the rolls famous.

Everything happens by accident, amiright?

The recipe quickly became a New England favorite and eventually found its way onto holiday tables and family dinner menus across America.

This Honey Butter Parker House Roll recipe puts a slightly sweeter twist on the classic. Made with whole milk, butter, honey, and eggs, the dough bakes into beautifully golden rolls that are incredibly soft and fluffy. A warm honey-butter glaze brushed over the tops straight from the oven adds a touch of sweetness, while a sprinkle of flaky sea salt creates the perfect balance of flavors.

Whether you’re serving them alongside a holiday feast, a Sunday roast, or simply enjoying one warm with a pat of butter, these homemade Parker House rolls are comfort food at its finest. Perfectly soft, lightly sweet, and irresistibly buttery, they’re the kind of bread everyone reaches for first.

And everyone wants the recipe.

Shop This Recipe: Essentials for Honey Butter Parker House Rolls

If you’d like to recreate these bakery-style rolls at home, here are some helpful kitchen tools:

Baking Tools

Makes 15 Rolls

Ingredients:

For the Rolls

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
4½ cups all-purpose flour
2 packets rapid-rise yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1⅓ cups whole milk
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup honey
1 large egg
2 egg yolks

For the Honey Butter Topping

1 egg, beaten
¼ cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey
Flaky sea salt

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, and kosher salt. Stir briefly to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Step 3: Warm the Milk Mixture

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the milk, melted butter, and honey. Warm just until the butter melts and the mixture feels slightly warm to the touch. Avoid overheating, as excessive heat can damage the yeast.

Step 4: Form the Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolks.

Pour the warm milk mixture into the flour mixture, followed by the eggs. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms, then continue kneading for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 5: First Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for about 40 minutes, or until noticeably puffy.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 15 equal portions.

Shape each piece into a smooth ball by gently stretching the dough underneath itself. Arrange the dough balls evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 7: Second Rise

Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise for 60 to 90 minutes, or until doubled in size and fluffy.

Step 8: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg. Bake for approximately 18 to 22 minutes, or until beautifully golden brown.

Step 9: Make the Honey Butter

While the rolls are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the honey and whisk until smooth.

Step 10: Finish and Serve

As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, generously brush them with the warm honey butter mixture.

Finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt and serve warm.

Serves well with

CLASSIC ITALIAN CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO

Honey Butter Parker House Rolls

Yield: 15 Rolls

Ingredients

For the Rolls

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
4½ cups all-purpose flour
2 packets rapid-rise yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1⅓ cups whole milk
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup honey
1 large egg
2 egg yolks

For the Honey Butter Topping

1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey
Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Directions

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, and kosher salt.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk, melted butter, and honey until the butter has melted and the mixture is lukewarm.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolks.
Pour the warm milk mixture into the flour mixture, followed by the eggs. Knead with the dough hook on medium speed for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rise for about 40 minutes.
Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces and shape each piece into a smooth ball.
Arrange the dough balls in the prepared baking dish. Cover and let rise for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg and bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown.
While the rolls bake, melt the butter for the topping and stir in the honey until smooth.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush generously with the warm honey butter and sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
Serve warm and enjoy.

Del Rey Manor