Original Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
This dinner rolls recipe proves that soft, tender, bakery-style rolls can be made with 100% whole wheat flour, and they’re easier than you think! With hundreds of five-star reviews, these wholesome yeast rolls have become many family’s favorite for weeknights and holidays alike. With updated tips, questions answered, and a step-by-step tutorial you’ll be able to make the perfectly fluffy, slightly sweet dinner rolls you’ve been dreaming of – everyone will rave about these, I promise!
✩ What readers are saying…
“I have been looking forever for a whole wheat dinner roll that would not disappoint. Most are heavy, dry and have a tougher “chewy” feel to them, etc. This roll is THE WHEAT ROLL to end all wheat rolls! Lightly crisp on the outside, SO SOFT and FLUFFY inside. Fragrant and wonderfully wholesome!” -Tanie
This is the best dinner roll recipe – truly. Originally published in the first year of the site (2009), this incredible all-whole-wheat dinner roll recipe remains one of my most popular recipes, which it deserves – I’ve actually had a friend tell me she dreamed about these rolls!
You’ll find both a picture tutorial and a video showing you all the steps below, so there are a couple of ways to learn how to make these soft dinner rolls even if you’ve never made bread before. And you’ll want to – they really are amazing! Be sure to check out the “your questions answered” section after the recipe card – it’s full of great information.
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My family loves, like really loves this whole wheat dinner rolls recipe. Along with my 100% whole wheat sandwich bread, these sweetened-with-honey whole wheat rolls are what finally made me believe that “soft” and “whole wheat” could actually coexist in a bread.
Can you really have fluffy and soft dinner rolls that are 100% whole wheat?
Believe it or not – yes! Though, after tasting these rolls, many people have told me they don’t believe they are 100% whole wheat (and just plain old regular whole wheat at that). They think I’ve added at least some all-purpose flour.
But it’s true that these soft and fluffy dinner rolls are made with only regular “hard red” whole wheat (I’ve also made them with all spelt flour, and all whole hard white wheat too, with good results). It’s the eggs, butter, and honey that make these a so-good-you-can’t-eat-just-one type of roll. They are light and fluffy and almost don’t need any butter – but go ahead anyway.
If you bring (or serve) these rolls to any dinner, holiday or otherwise, everyone will be begging asking you for the recipe. And they’re easy, too, once you get the hang of working with a slightly wetter dough.
Don’t believe me? Follow along and I’ll show you all the steps, including what the dough should look like so you can see that it’s all true.
Be like the thousands of other people who’ve made these rolls and been the star of the party! (New for 2025: I’ve gone through all of the 1000+ comments and included lots of reader tips, variations, and questions answered below!)
Recipe Ingredient Notes
Over the years I’ve gotten a number of questions and comments about the ingredients and what has worked as far a substitutions. At various times I’ve said this recipe shouldn’t be cut in half (apparently it can!) and that I didn’t think you could substitute ingredients and still get the soft and tender roll (you can!). Here is what I’ve used and learned:
- Yeast: I’ve used both active dry (the bulk yeast I mostly use) and instant yeast through the years without any changes to the recipe and it’s worked just the same. Many have questioned the amount, either wondering about how many packets (use 2) or that it’s too much (no mistake – it’s 2 tablespoons). You are free to experiment with the amount, but I can’t guarantee the results if you do.
- Warm water: I’m listing this as an ingredient to mention that by “warm” I mean 90 to 110 degrees, usually what I get out of my tap. Some people don’t want to use warm tap water and that’s okay, you can heat up cold water, but do not go over 120 degrees as the yeast will be killed at that temperature.
- Butter: I’ve recommended pure, salted butter which is what I’ve always used for flavor. However, there are many who can’t have dairy and who have successfully made them with oil in place of the butter.
- Honey: Again, this is what I’ve always used and I enjoy the flavor of whole wheat with honey. There are some who don’t want to use honey for various reasons and have successfully substituted with maple syrup or regular cane sugar. You can also decrease the amount of any sweetener, but I’d always use at least 1 tablespoon to provide immediate food for the yeast to get a better rise.
- Eggs: The recipe uses standard large eggs. Quite a few comments have said they’ve used the flax egg substitution with great success for those with egg allergies.
- Lukewarm milk/buttermilk: I mostly use regular milk (1%, 2% and whole variously) and “lukewarm” should be slightly less than warm, about 95-100 degrees. Many commenters have used milk substitutes (coconut and almond) successfully which combined with oil instead of butter work for dairy free diets (and using these substitutions with flax eggs and sugar would make the rolls vegan). Some have just used water, too, and they liked the outcome.
- Flour: The recipe uses regular “hard red” whole wheat which is usually the standard whole wheat found in stores. This is the whole wheat flour I use most often, and this is a lighter whole wheat flour that produces an even lighter roll. Readers have said it works well with sprouted wheat flour as well as freshly milled flour (see more on this in the FAQs). Note: I can’t recommend using whole wheat pastry flour – that is milled from soft red or white wheat and doesn’t contain as much protein (which is needed to help form gluten in yeast and sourdough breads).
- Salt: The recipe measurement is for regular salt or sea salt, not for kosher or other coarse ground salt (you’d need more if using larger ground salt).
TIP: Using white (also called golden) whole wheat flour may help with texture if you find it’s “cornmeal like” as some comments have said with 100% whole wheat (this hasn’t been my experience with regular whole wheat, but everyone’s taste is unique).
Whole Wheat Rolls Video
Video Notes:
- Water. For some reason the video makes it look like I’m using 1 cup of water – you only use 1/2 cup as listed in the recipe card (I do not remember why I had more water in the video – sorry for the confusion).
- Half Recipe. Also, I mention that the recipe isn’t one to cut in half because of the three eggs and I always just freeze the rolls we don’t need for later. However, MANY people have successfully cut the recipe in half, though, either by using 2 small eggs or using 1 egg, beating another egg and then using just half of it, or using only 1 egg.
- Substitutions. I say “this isn’t the time for substitutions” which in hindsight isn’t very thoughtful to people with allergies or health issues who don’t have a choice. Again, that wasn’t my intention, I was really only alluding to the butter vs. margarine debate (I don’t see margarine as real food so would only recommend an oil replacement for the butter now, if needed). I’m grateful for grace and that many people have tried other substitutions and found that lots more people are able to enjoy the recipe now!
Make Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Step-by-Step
Note: This is a picture tutorial – for the full printable recipe, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Step 1: Dissolve the yeast in a 1/2 cup of warm, not hot, water. Just measure out the water in a glass measuring cup using warm tap water, add the yeast and stir it in with a whisk, and set it aside.
Step 2: Add softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer, add the honey and cream them together with the paddle attachment. (No mixer? You can use a hand-held mixer or mix by hand – see FAQs for more.)
Step 3: Add the eggs and beat, scraping the butter from the sides. Pour in your warmed buttermilk (or milk) and the yeast mixture. Note: It will not be smooth, as this picture above shows- it’s OK to see lumps of butter floating around.
Step 4: Mix in 4-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt (trust me, you don’t want to leave the salt out- I speak from experience), and mix well.
Step 5: Change to the dough hook and knead for only a minute or two – we’re just trying to lose the extreme stickiness here, not really to develop gluten. Add only a couple more tablespoons of flour, if needed.
TIP: If you add flour and keep kneading, the flour will absorb and the dough will stick to the bowl again. You should knead only a minute or so, adding a small amount of flour and scraping the sides, just until it’s not tacky when touched.
Step 5b: This was hard to photograph, but a finger touched on the surface should not come away with any dough on it, even though the dough looks sticky. In the photo above, the dough is still sticking to the bowl (good), but not to my finger, so it’s ready to rise.
Step 6: Leave it in the mixing bowl, cover it with a towel and let sit at room temperature for an hour. Above is the dough after the first rise. As you can see, it has risen some, but is not really “doubled.” It’s OK, they will rise more in the pan.
NOTE: This is where the video may really help explain better if you’re wondering what the dough should be like (the #1 problem people have is adding too much flour and coming out with dense, heavy rolls).
From what the dough should look like, to equipment, to adding too much flour – I try to address the most often asked questions and comments in this video. (Again, even though it looks like 1 cup of water in the video, it’s only 1/2 cup like in the printable recipe ingredients below.)
Step 7. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with hands a few times, then cover it with a towel and let rest for 3 minutes.
Step 8. While the dough is resting, pull out a 13×9-inch pan and butter (or oil) it generously on the bottom and sides.
TIP: If you don’t have a counter to use for rolling out breads, try a lightly floured, clean tea towel for easy clean-up, plus it helps use less flour.
Step 9. Cut the dough into 24 even (or as close as you can get) pieces. Flatten it out into a rectangle shape and use a knife to cut it into 24 pieces. As you can see above, the middle pieces are bigger than the corner ones, so I just cut some off the middle pieces and add them to the corners.
Step 10. Shape the dough pieces into balls. To get nicely rounded rolls you need to create a bit of tension. I like to push a dough piece through my thumb and fingers up through the middle, turn the newly created dough ball over and pinch the ends together. You can also roll the dough into balls on an non-floured marble-like surface, pulling them towards you to shape and create tension.
Step 11. Place the balls seam side down in the buttered dish (four balls across and six down). They should be touching in the pan in order to make all the soft sides everyone loves (the center ones are my favorites…).
Step 12. Cover the pan (shake off the towel if you used one to cover or use a reuseable cover), and let rise for another hour. Above is what they will look like after 1 hour of rising. They are not spilling over the pan, but all the sides are touching now.
TIP: Set the timer for 45 minutes to remind you to turn the oven to 350 degrees to preheat and then set it again for the last 15 minutes of the rising time.
Step 13. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. I rotate them after 10 minutes for even browning.
TIP: Brush the tops with softened butter when they come out of the oven (just do it – you’ll be glad you did). Some have also brushed with an egg wash before baking (sometimes sprinkling with sesame seeds, too).
As soon as they are cooled a bit, pull them out of the pan and separate the rolls to serve.
Look at that texture- no heavy whole wheat rolls here. These are so good I hope you give them a try!
To Make Ahead
1. My preferred method is to bake fully first (I did test freezing before baking but could tell a difference in the texture, and a bit with refrigerating before baking):
- Bake these up to 4 months in advance, let the cool in the pan, remove them as one piece, separate into 2 sections of 12 rolls and place each section of rolls into a gallon sized freezer baggie. Freeze until needed.
- When ready to serve, take them out in the morning to thaw, wrap the 12-roll section in tin foil and heat in a 300-350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until warm.
2. Overnight refrigeration technique (from Aiden Hutchinson, NFL Lion’s defensive end!): “I ‘blast-chilled’ the full case of biscuit-soft babies in the chest freezer for seven minutes prior to overnight refrigeration. I figure that they will need an extra 30 minutes to rise from 40 degrees F.”
Storage
- Counter: Store at room temperature, covered, for 1-2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days (bread notoriously goes stale faster with refrigeration).
- Freezer: Wrap airtight and freeze up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat as explained above.
Reader Raves
“Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. It was not only a hit with my entire family, but it was easy to make (this is a big deal for someone who never has success with anything involving yeast)! I would have to say that these are the best rolls I have ever had!” -Katie
“My family loves these rolls, I have been making them for a couple of years. The best whole wheat rolls ever and I have tried a lot of recipes.” -Joyce
“Great recipe!!! After several years of trying to find a 100% whole wheat yeast rolls, I found a keeper. I stumbled across this recipe 2-2 1/2 years ago. I made it for Thanksgiving and now everyone ask me to make them at all of our family gatherings. Thank you.” -Shellie
UPDATE: The recipe below now includes grams (measured when making the rolls last) in addition to volume measurements. Please still use the visual cues I give you, since there is so much variation in weather, flour, and temperatures for each of our kitchens. Also note that the automatic increase buttons will not double or triple the gram amounts, only the volume measurements.
I hope you love this whole wheat dinner roll recipe as much as we do – be sure to leave a comment and rating to let me know!
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Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- stand mixer or a hand-held mixer with dough hook or by hand
- 1 13×9 inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (20g) active dry yeast* (instant works, too) OR 2 packets of yeast
- 1/2 cup (120g) warm water (90 to 110 degrees)
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter, softened (can use oil)
- 1/4 cup (88g) honey (can use cane sugar or maple syrup)
- 3 large eggs (comments have said flax eggs work for those with allergies)
- 1 cup (245g) lukewarm buttermilk or milk (or milk substitute), 95-100 degrees
- 4½ to 5 cups (630g) whole wheat flour** (regular red hard wheat – hard white or golden wheat works, as well as spelt)
- 1 ½ teaspoons (10g) sea salt (regular grain salt, not kosher or coarse grind)
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in the 1/2 cup warm water in a glass measure and set aside.
- Cream the butter and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or with a wooden spoon by hand). Add the eggs and mix, scraping the sides. Add the warmed milk along with the yeast mixture.
- Add 4½ cups of flour and the salt, mixing until combined. Change to dough hook and knead about 2 minutes only, just until no longer tacky, adding a tablespoon or two of flour at a time, if needed. (Do not add too much – KEY.) Alternately by hand: Knead a minute or two on a lightly floured surface just until smoother and still a bit tacky. Just be very careful not to add too much flour.
- Let sit in bowl, covered, to rise for one hour. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead a couple of times, then let rest 3 minutes.
- Divide into 24 equal pieces, shaping each into a ball and placing in a buttered or oiled 13×9-inch baking dish with the pieces touching.
- Let rise, covered for 1 hour, until the rolls have filled in a are up to the top of the pan to about an 1/2 above the pan (if it's warm, you may need less time – do not let them overproof).
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. TIP: Set timer for 45 minutes to start oven preheating and then set for the last 15 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Freeze: Make these up to 4 months in advance, let the cool in the pan, remove them as one piece, separate into 2 sections of 12 rolls and place each section of rolls into a gallon sized freezer baggie. Freeze until needed.
- Reheat: When ready to serve, take them out in the morning to thaw, then wrap the 12-roll section in tin foil and heat in a 300-350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until warm.
Nutrition
Your Questions Answered
Yes, it works with fresh ground wheat as written. Tip from a comment: Fresh milled flour is very thirsty so you have to work extra hard to not put too much flour. It’s very sticky after the 3 min with dough hook but absorbs water as it sits. I put a little oil on my hands when I form the rolls.
Two packets will work for the recipe.
Yes, I’ve used both the active dry and instant without any changes and they come out the same.
You can use less honey, down to 1 tablespoon but I don’t suggest leaving it out completely for two reasons – the sweetener feeds the yeast immediately so you get that good rise and also honey really helps compliment the whole wheat flour.
Yes, you can use sugar or maple syrup in place of the honey.
I’ve had many people tell me this works. I would just watch the rise time – you may need less time when including the lighter all-purpose flour.
I never have (since it takes the same amount of time, why not have some waiting in your freezer for another time?), but a number of commenters have said they’ve successfully halved the recipe. Some have used 2 small eggs, but it seems most use 1.5 eggs by whisking the second egg and then just using half of it (an egg is generally 1/4 cup whisked, so 2 TB would be half).
Some people have made 1/3 of the recipe to make 8 rolls baked in a loaf pan, too.
Yes, many have left comments that they let the bread machine knead the dough for 10 minutes, let it rise for an hour before shaping into rolls, and then let it rise again in the pan before baking. Some specifics from readers:
“I added all the “wet” ingredients to the bread machine then added the flour and finally I put the salt and yeast on top (I don’t ever “proof” yeast). The dough was beautiful!”
“[I used the] dough setting on the bread machine and two packets of quick rise yeast and it worked perfect” for the first rise.
I haven’t tried that – I use this recipe for a soft whole wheat sandwich bread. However, some people have left comments that they have and they like it. One said the dough was too soft, though, to work like traditional sandwich bread.
Knead by hand a minute or two on a lightly floured surface just until smoother and still a bit tacky. Just be very careful not to add too much flour.
You can also use the dough hook on a hand mixer if you have one.
Yes, there are comments that say this works and they rise “beautifully.” One person shaped the dough into 10, half burger buns and half sub rolls. You’ll want to adjust the cook time to make sure they are cooked through. You can use an instant read thermometer and bake until the internal temperature is 200 degrees and then make a note of how long it took to reach that for the next time.
I’ve always used volume measurements and a visual of what the dough should look and feel like (which is why I’ve included all the process photos). To measure cups of flour, I scoop and level with the back of a knife.
Use an instant read thermometer and insert it into one of the center buns to see the temp and bake until it’s about 200 degrees. Let the rolls cook until you get the right reading – if the outside rolls are browning too much, cover just the outside rows of buns with foil.
I’m not sure why this has happened to some – it may have to do with humidity or the type of flour. Maybe the size of eggs? One reader said they were getting this too-wet dough, similar to a few other comments, and they tried this: In a bowl add 2 tablespoons of yeast and 1 1/2 tablespoon of organic sugar along with 2 cups of warm water – stir and cover it until the yeast raised (usually a few minutes). “And, that’s it… we followed the other steps in this amazing recipe” and they turned out.
More Ways to Use This Dough
- I made a fun variation on this incredible roll which is nice for larger gatherings: Soft 100% Whole Wheat Crescent Shaped Rolls!
- These make terrific whole wheat slider rolls, too – think of all the sliders you can make healthier now!
- A number of commenters have used the dough to make whole wheat cinnamon rolls. If I was to try, my first guess would be to divide in 2 after 1st rise, roll out, apply filling, roll up filling, place in buttered baking pan, and repeat for 2nd half of dough.
- They’ve also to made 12 larger rolls/buns by shaping into 12 buns and lay in a pan or cookie sheet 3 across and 4 down. Bake for about 23 minutes.
- Alternate shaping: One person made the rolls a larger size and cut them with scissors on the top before baking to make it easier to open and butter later.
- Alternate baking: Another person divided the rolls between two cast iron pans for baking at 375F.
More easy, never-buy-bread-again recipes
- Whole Wheat, Soft & Easy Sandwich Bread
- Easy Artisan Bread (yeast)
- Quick & Tender Homemade Hamburger Buns (or Breadsticks)
- Tutorial: Simple French Baguettes Recipe (or The Bread You Can’t Stop Eating)
- Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread Recipe (Ready in 1 Day)
This recipe has been updated – it was originally published in 2009, updated in 2018 and 2025.
Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.
Can I double this receipe?
It’s a lot of dough, Melina. If you’re used to doubling bread recipes then go for it. I’ve actually never done that as it would overwhelm my mixer. I just make two batches. 🙂
Hello! I really want to make these rolls but… i dont have a stand mixer any suggestions on how to make without one. I do have a bread make with a dough cycle on it?!?!
Hi Briana! I’ve only made them with the mixer – have you looked through the comments? I know there are a lot, but I think someone said they made the dough in the bread machine and then removed them to shape them…? Sure sounds like it would work!
These are gorgeous looking rolls. I can’t wait to try them!
December 23, 2013
Wow! Gorgeous rolls, and it all worked perfectly. Thanks for the tips about using a towel and cutting up 24 pieces. The pictures and extra tips was necessary and much appreciated. This is my contribution to Christmas dinner, and these rolls will be LOVED. Thanks to everyone who made comments!
Oops! Grammar error! Pictures and tips WERE much appreciated. Also wanted to say that I used agave syrup instead of honey. Used King Arthur WW flour. Very important to fluff up flour. I emptied half a bag into a large bowl, thereby fluffing it. Then, used a large spoon to lightly lift flour into a measuring cup and level it with a knife. Used only 2 extra T at the end. Used a mixer just as Jami did. Oh, ahead of time, find a brush to coat the rolls with butter at the end. Thank you, Jami, for your friendly and supportive help. I’m next going to try your ww peanut butter cookies in your 15 Christmas Goodies.
I just made these and they were delicious! My husband and 1 year old daughter liked them too! However, Mine rose a lot faster and higher than yours, probably because I added 2 heaping tablespoons of vital wheat gluten (I have some and I never get to use it so I thought, why not?).
Thanks for the recipe!
~Melodie
I formed 12 large rolls opposed to 24 regular-size. Will this approach increase baking time?
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have reached the second rise phase; so far so good! 🙂
I would assume so, since bigger things take longer to bake. But I haven’t ever made them bigger, so I don’t know how much time. Hope it works for you!
I assumed as much as well, but to my surprise the rolls only required an additional 5 minutes of baking (and these results from an oven typically on the cold side). They emerged from the oven beautiful; BIG, but beautiful. 😉 Thank you again. 🙂
Found this recipe on Pinterest, and I’m so excited to make these for Thanksgiving. Just one question–do you use salted or unsalted butter? Thanks so much!
You’ll love it, Annie! I always use salted, because that’s what I have. 🙂
YUMMY. These turned out great. I have been trying forever to make a good whole wheat roll or bread and I always fail. Finally got this one right. Can’t wait to make these again. Thanks for posting this awesome recipe.
I tried these yesterday and they were super good, but they came out a little dry for me. Does anyone happen to know what I might have done wrong or what I could try for next time?
I haven’t had that happen, Jasmine, but maybe you put in too much flour? The dough should still be a bit slightly sticky.
Regarding dry rolls… I haven’t yet made this recipe, but I’ve learned, when using whole wheat flour especially, to carefully spoon the flour into the measuring cup and sweep it level with the back of a knife to ensure I am not over-measuring the flour. If you dip your measuring cup into the bag or canister (and then sweep with a knife to level) you can compact the flour into the measuring in the cup and actually be measuring out way more than one cup at a time. It adds up in a recipe such as this where you use more than 4 cups of flour… just imagine if you were adding in a few extra teaspoons of flour to cup. Hope this helps.
Hi there,
These rolls look great! I am so happy to have found a recipe that uses whole wheat flour as opposed to that processed stuff. I was just wondering, did you use instant (quick-rise) yeast, or just traditional yeast?
-Thanks!
I’ve used both over the years (based on what was available in the bulk section) and the rolls always turned out. 🙂
P.S. Do you know if there is any adjustments to make for high attitude? I just thought about that… I’m living in the Denver Metro area now and still cannot get used to adjusting all my baking to high altitude
Shoot, I don’t know about high altitude, Diana – sorry. Maybe google baking yeast breads at high alt? Sure hope these turn out for you and your family’s Thanksgiving – if so, I’m sure you’ll feel like a rockstar! 🙂
Hi Jami, At 57 I have never made any kind of yeast bread products. Thanks to you for this wonderful recipe and greatly detailed tutorial, and Pinterest (which has brought out my inner-cook/dhef and out of hibernation for the past 20 years). Now, I and my siblings are all preparing Thanksgiving dinner and taking to our parents’ home as they are unable to travel or cook much anymore. I cannot wait to see how this turns out. Without a stand up mixer and having never made rolls before, I am anxious to try this great recipe .I will let you know. Happy Thanksgiving 😀
I am determined as a non-baker to perfect these rolls, my first attemp turned out a little like bicuits. I was waondering if you could reccomend a brand (or 2) of whole wheat flour? I think I may have chosen a course ground flour that left my “rolls” too heavy. Or maybe it is my baking abilities…regardless, I would like to try again based on the awesome reviews!
that is wondering….
King Arthur is the best whole wheat.
My non-baking sister has had a fail with this recipe, too, and the only thing I can think of is that there was too much flour added – the dough should still be a bit sticky and need the towel (or surface) to be floured. As for flour types, many folks find that whole wheat WHITE flour is lighter and their yeast products turn out better. While I can use regular ww flour and these always turn out, you might want to try the ww white flour to get them to work for you. Here’s hoping you get a good batch the next time!
Thankyou Jami! You are probably right about too much flour. I think I will try one more time with the ww flour Deb suggested (thanks Deb). Hopefully attempt #2 will equal success. Thanks again for the input.
Kirstie, another thing to try when baking, especially with whole wheat flour, spoon your flour into your measuring cup. If you just scoop it, you will end up with several ounces more flour than needed in the recipe, & heavy buns. I always add vital wheat gluten (1 tsp per cup of flour) to all my bread & rolls when baking as well. Whole wheat flour does not have as much gluten as unbleached all purpose or bread flour, so adding gluten will help.
I made the rolls tonight…sooo delicious!!!! I just substituted water in place of milk and the rolls are still very fluffy and moist 🙂 hope this helps anyone else who can’t use milk!
Wow- great to know, Melissa! Thanks for updating us.
Just posted about wheat bread myself! And just pinned these so I can remember to try them. They sound and look amazing! WOW! Great rise and puff on a 100% W-W roll!
I have been making your whole wheat sandwich bread for well over a month now and my family won’t eat store bread again! I am anxious to make the rolls but wanted to know if there is a good substitute for the milk as my oldest has severe milk allergies. Thanks!
When milk is called for in bread recipes, it’s to make a more tender crumb and soft breads usually benefit from the addition of milk (at least that’s my understanding…). That said, you can substitute water and see if that works for your family, Melissa – maybe you can let us know if they’re still as soft so others who can’t have milk will know it’s ok or not to use water? That would be great. 🙂
I am absolutely in love with these rolls! They are seriously the best whole wheat rolls I have ever found! Recently, I made these rolls and stuffed them with sausages for a make-ahead breakfast. Would you mind if I link to your blog for the roll recipe and then show what I did with it on my blog? Pretty please? I really am obsessed with these things!
Of course, Heather! I’m looking forward to seeing what you did – it sounds like a great idea. 🙂
Thank you so much! Check it out! http://greeneggsandgoats.blogspot.com/2012/10/sister-heathers-whole-wheat-sausage.html
I found this recipe via pinterest and thought they looked delish. I made them today and they turned out perfectly! I even got uniform size and shape thanks to your wonderful explanations and pictures. We had them for lunch with home made chicken noodle soup and they were a hit. Thanks so much. I’ll definately be making these again and again.
So glad, Cheryl- you made my day- thanks for letting me know!
As a bead lover but not a bread baker…..I do not have a fancy Kitchen Aid mixer with attachments. Could I use my hands for these steps or does it just work better with the actual tools?
Since they don’t require a lot of kneading, Liz, I think they should work fine if made by hand. I’m just lazy 🙂
Public service announcement – do NOT accidentally double the honey in this recipe – lol! Oh goodness. I couldn’t figure out why my dough was so wet. Eventually I got it to an okay consistency, went through all the steps, and baked them. Gorgeous and the smell was divine! Came back later and all the center rolls were deflating. Uh oh! We ate some of the outside ones (which were heavy but tasty), but the others had to be tossed because they were so thick and doughy. I’m a fairly practiced baker so I was so embarrassed. After dinner I sat down to reread the recipe and realized my error. I had half a cup of honey. Trying to do too much at once will do that to you:). I’m going to try again with the correct ingredients because I can imagine these are incredible when made correctly. What a day:)
Goodness! I never knew… 🙂 I have had many mishaps like that, though – always when I try to multitask. Most recent was too many eggs in cookies, sigh.
Thank you Tiffany. I was wondering what I did wrong. I did the same thing. Darn it. I’ll have to make another batch.
Great, thanks! 🙂