Warm, earthy, and perfectly fluffy, these yeast rolls get their signature deep flavor from a generous pour of molasses and hearty oats. You'll love the sticky, golden crust created by brushing a simple butter-molasses glaze over the top just before they finish baking. They're a fantastic addition to a holiday spread or a cozy weekend brunch. The dough requires a bit of patience for two rises, but the tender, comforting results are entirely worth the wait.
Prep
2 hr 30 min
Cook
45 min
Total
3 hr 15 min
Servings
18
Course
Lunch
Cuisine
American
Ingredients
1 cup boiling water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats, uncooked
cup warm water (105° to 115°F)
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
cup plus 2 teaspoons light (mild) molasses
1½ teaspoons salt about 4 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
1Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 cup of oats in a medium bowl, stirring to combine. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until the oats absorb the water and cool to a warm 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
2Mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl until dissolved. Let it rest for about 5 minutes until the surface turns foamy. This proves the yeast is active and ready to lift your dough.
3Beat 4 tablespoons of softened butter in a large bowl on low speed until creamy. Add the molasses and beat until fully incorporated. Mix in the soaked oats, yeast mixture, and salt just until blended.
4Gradually mix in 2 cups of flour until blended. Use a wooden spoon to stir in another 2 cups of flour until a shaggy dough forms.
5Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Work in just enough of the remaining flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
6Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large greased bowl. Turn the dough over once so the top gets a light coating of grease, which prevents it from drying out. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot (80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
7Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Punch the dough down to release the air, then move it to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 18 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball and place them in the prepared pan in three rows of six.
8Cover the baking pan loosely and let the rolls rise in a warm place for another 1 hour until doubled in size.
9Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the rolls for about 30 minutes until they develop a very light brown color.
10While the rolls bake, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small dish and stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons of molasses.
11Remove the rolls from the oven after the initial 30-minute baking time. Brush the tops generously with the butter and molasses mixture, then sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oats over them.
12Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 15 more minutes until the rolls turn a deep golden brown.
Notes
Storage: Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or microwave individual rolls for 15 seconds.
Make ahead: You can prepare the dough through the first rise, then punch it down and store it in the fridge overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.