Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat Recipe
The Ultimate Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat Recipe (with Cinnamon Butter!)
Is there anything better than sitting down at a restaurant and being greeted with a basket of warm, fresh bread? If you’ve ever visited Texas Roadhouse, you’ll know the pure bliss we’re describing. Their pillowy, sweet rolls served with cinnamon honey butter are simply iconic. But what if you could recreate that magic at home? We’re thrilled to share our definitive Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat Recipe, a straightforward guide designed to bring that beloved restaurant flavour straight to your kitchen.
We’ve meticulously refined this recipe, ensuring each roll emerges from the oven perfectly light, fluffy, and with that distinct touch of sweetness. Say goodbye to dense, lacklustre bread. Get ready to fill your home with the wonderful scent of baking and produce a batch of rolls your family will clamour for time and time again. Let’s begin!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Light and Airy: We’ve mastered the secret to their signature cloud-like consistency. These rolls are incredibly soft, making them the perfect partner for that delightful cinnamon butter.
- Made with Pantry Staples: There’s no need to search for special ingredients. This recipe relies on common items you likely already have, such as flour, yeast, sugar, and milk, making it accessible to all.
- Wonderfully Adaptable: While they are a treat on their own, these rolls are perfect for creating sliders, serving with comforting soups, or mopping up the sauce from a rich pasta dish.
- Includes the Signature Cinnamon Butter: We couldn’t leave out the best bit! Our recipe provides the quick, two-minute technique for whipping up the sweet, creamy butter that makes these rolls so memorable.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: From a casual weeknight dinner to a festive holiday spread, a basket of these warm, golden rolls is certain to delight your guests.
Ingredients
- 550g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 80g caster sugar
- 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 240ml whole milk, warmed to about 40°C (105-110°F)
- 120ml warm water
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 60g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 115g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 65g icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- 30g unsalted butter, melted
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Texas Roadhouse Rolls
The thought of making bread from scratch can seem intimidating, but we’ve simplified this recipe into clear, easy-to-follow stages. We assure you that with a bit of patience, your reward will be the most delicious homemade dinner rolls you’ve ever had. Let’s get our hands doughy!
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Our journey begins with activating the yeast. In a small bowl, mix together the warm milk, warm water, and the fast-action yeast. Stir gently and leave it for about 5–10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks foamy and bubbly on top. This is called “blooming,” and it shows your yeast is alive. If it doesn’t get frothy, your yeast might be out of date, so it’s best to start again with a new sachet.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer that has a dough hook attached, combine the strong white bread flour, caster sugar, and salt. Give the dry ingredients a quick whisk to ensure they are evenly mixed.
Pour the foamy yeast liquid into the flour mixture. Then add the melted butter and the large egg. Switch the mixer on to a low speed and mix until all the ingredients combine into a shaggy, sticky dough. This should take around 2–3 minutes.
Step 3: Knead to Perfection
After the dough has formed, increase the mixer’s speed to medium-low and continue to knead for 6–8 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic, pulling away from the sides of the bowl. It will still feel slightly tacky, which is precisely what we want for exceptionally soft bread rolls.
Don’t have a stand mixer? Not a problem! You can easily knead this by hand. Simply turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10–12 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Consider it a bonus workout!
Step 4: The First Rise
Lightly grease a large bowl with a little oil. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in the bowl, and turn it once to coat the surface. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or cling film and set it aside in a warm, draught-free place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in volume. To check if it’s ready, gently poke it with a finger – if the dent stays, it’s good to go.
Step 5: Shape the Rolls
Carefully punch down the risen dough to deflate it. Transfer it to a lightly floured worktop and roll it out into a rectangle measuring roughly 15×10 inches (about 38×25 cm) and about half an inch thick. With a pizza wheel or sharp knife, slice the dough into 15 or 16 square-shaped portions. You can aim for that authentic Texas Roadhouse shape or just keep them as simple squares.
Place the cut rolls onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment, leaving a small gap between each one. They’ll grow and join together during baking, creating those classic pull-apart edges.
Step 6: The Second Rise
Cover the baking tray loosely with a kitchen towel and allow the rolls to rise again in a warm spot for a further 30–45 minutes. They should appear puffy and have almost doubled in size again. As they prove, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
Step 7: Bake and Brush
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, until they boast a lovely golden-brown top. As soon as they emerge from the oven, generously brush them with the 30g of melted butter. This final step gives them a beautiful shine and ensures they stay incredibly soft.
How to Make the Famous Cinnamon Honey Butter
A Texas Roadhouse roll just isn’t the same without its renowned cinnamon honey butter. Fortunately, it’s remarkably easy to make and elevates these sweet yeast rolls to an entirely new level of deliciousness.
- In a medium-sized bowl, put the softened butter, icing sugar, honey, ground cinnamon, and the pinch of salt.
- Using an electric hand whisk (or just a fork and a little effort), beat everything together until it’s light, creamy, and thoroughly mixed.
- Serve straight away with the warm rolls, or keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before serving so it’s easy to spread.
What to Serve with Your Rolls
These amazing restaurant style rolls are the ideal partner for nearly any dish. Their gentle sweetness contrasts wonderfully with savoury flavours. We particularly enjoy serving them with a creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe to mop up every last drop of the delicious sauce. They also work beautifully as a side for a fresh, zesty main like our Bruschetta Chicken, providing a perfect balance to the bright tastes.
Top Tips for Success
- Ensure Your Yeast is Active: Always confirm your yeast is working before you start. For a deeper dive into yeast types and their functions, King Arthur Baking offers a superb guide.
- Resist Adding Too Much Flour: The dough is meant to be a little sticky. If you add too much extra flour while kneading, your rolls can become dense. Have faith in the recipe!
- Find a Cosy Spot for Proving: If your home is on the cooler side, you can create a warm nook for the dough by placing it in an oven that’s turned off with just the light switched on.
- How to Store Your Rolls: These are at their absolute best when eaten warm from the oven. However, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. A quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave will warm them up nicely before serving.
FAQ
Conclusion: Bring the Bakery Home
And there you have it—our complete guide to recreating one of the world’s favourite restaurant breads in your own home. This Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat Recipe is more than just instructions; it’s an invitation to create warm, comforting memories around your kitchen table. The scent of freshly baked bread, the simple delight of pulling apart a warm roll, and that first taste of it slathered in cinnamon honey butter—it’s a truly special experience.
We really hope you give this recipe a go. Don’t be intimidated by yeast; our step-by-step process is here to help you achieve brilliant results. Once you’ve perfected these, you’ll see the humble bread basket in a whole new light. If you do bake a batch, we’d love to hear how they came out in the comments section. Happy baking!
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- For the Rolls:
- 550g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 80g caster sugar
- 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 240ml whole milk, warmed to about 40°C (105-110°F)
- 120ml warm water
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 60g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 30g unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- For the Cinnamon Honey Butter:
- 115g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 65g icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, warm water, and yeast. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, caster sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the yeast mixture, 60g of melted butter, and the egg. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead and First Rise: Increase speed to medium-low and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Punch down the dough and roll it into a 15×10 inch rectangle. Cut into 15-16 squares and arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan).
- Bake and Brush: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, brush them generously with the remaining 30g of melted butter.
- Make the Cinnamon Butter: In a separate bowl, use an electric whisk to beat the softened butter, icing sugar, honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until light and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the warm rolls immediately with the cinnamon honey butter.
