Soft and Fluffy Butter Bread (Pull-Apart Rolls)

These buttery, pillowy rolls are soft enough to pull apart with your fingers. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or served warm with soups and curries.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)

• ¼ cup (50g) sugar

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) instant yeast

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Activate Yeast

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast.

   • Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.

2. Prepare Dough

   • Add the egg, softened butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture.

   • Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead

   • Knead the dough on a floured surface (or with a stand mixer) for 8–10 minutes until smooth, stretchy, and elastic.

4. First Rise

   • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl.

   • Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

5. Shape Rolls

   • Punch down the risen dough.

   • Divide into 8–12 equal pieces (depending on size preference).

   • Shape each piece into a smooth ball.

   • Arrange them in a greased baking dish, close together so they rise into pull-apart rolls.

6. Second Rise

   • Cover and let the shaped rolls rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.

7. Bake

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   • Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

8. Finish

   • Brush immediately with melted butter for a shiny, soft crust.

   • Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations:

• For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the dough.

• Sprinkle sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top before baking.

• If you like sweeter bread, increase sugar to ⅓ cup.

• Best served fresh, but you can warm leftovers in the microwave for 15 seconds to bring back softness.