Name: Texas Roadhouse’s Rolls
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided; 1 (1/4-oz.) envelope active dry yeast; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature; 2 large eggs, at room temperature, divided; 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus more for work surface; Cooking spray; 1 tablespoon water; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe

Few things are more comforting or indulgent than warm, pillowy dinner rolls — and if you’ve ever been to Texas Roadhouse, you know just how iconic their freshly baked rolls are. Soft, buttery, slightly sweet, and served with irresistible cinnamon honey butter, these rolls are legendary. The good news? You can recreate that restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen.

This copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls recipe uses simple ingredients and yields bakery-style rolls that are soft and golden with just the right touch of sweetness. Perfect for holidays, family dinners, or whenever you want to elevate a homemade meal, these rolls are made from a soft enriched dough that rises beautifully and bakes to perfection.

With a little time and patience (mostly waiting for the dough to rise), you’ll have a basket of fresh rolls that rival — or even surpass — the originals. And of course, don’t forget the cinnamon honey butter: it’s the finishing touch that makes these rolls so memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner looking for a satisfying project, these Texas Roadhouse-style rolls are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality at Home: Get the same taste and texture of Texas Roadhouse rolls in your own kitchen.
Perfect Texture: Light, fluffy, and tender inside with a slightly golden, buttery crust.
Kid-Approved: The sweet, buttery flavor makes these rolls a favorite with kids and adults alike.
Freezer-Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze extras for quick future meals.
Versatile: Ideal for dinner sides, sandwiches, sliders, or holiday feasts.

Ingredients

Whole milk
Granulated sugar
Unsalted butter
Active dry yeast
Kosher salt
Egg yolk
Large eggs
All-purpose flour
Cooking spray
Water
Cinnamon honey butter (for serving)

Variations

Whole Wheat Version

Substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and nutty flavor.

Dairy-Free

Use plant-based milk and vegan butter to make the recipe dairy-free.

Herb Butter Topping

Mix garlic, parsley, and chives into melted butter to brush over the top for a savory twist.

Sweet Glaze

Add a light powdered sugar glaze for a dessert-like bread roll.

Shape Options

Instead of traditional rolls, shape the dough into knots or cloverleaf rolls for a fun presentation.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Milk Mixture

Heat the milk in a saucepan until warm (not boiling). Remove from heat and stir in sugar and half the butter until melted. Let cool to lukewarm.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Sprinkle yeast over the warm milk mixture. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with salt, egg yolk, and one of the eggs. Gradually mix in flour, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Knead and Let Rise

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1–1.5 hours).

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Punch down the dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a roll and place on a greased baking sheet.

Step 6: Second Rise

Cover the rolls loosely and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush over rolls. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 8: Butter and Serve

Brush hot rolls with the remaining melted butter. Serve warm with cinnamon honey butter.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Ensure milk isn’t too hot when adding yeast — it should be lukewarm to avoid killing the yeast.
Room temperature eggs incorporate better and help with rising.
Use a stand mixer with a dough hook if you want to save time on kneading.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
Don’t overbake — rolls should be just golden on top and soft inside.

How to Serve

These rolls are best served warm, slathered with cinnamon honey butter. Serve them as:

A side to soups, stews, or chili
Part of a holiday dinner spread
Slider buns for pulled pork or chicken
A sweet breakfast treat with jam or Nutella
A snack with tea or coffee

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Freeze baked rolls in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven for fresh-from-the-oven texture.

Reheating

Wrap rolls in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10–12 minutes, or microwave for 15–20 seconds.

FAQs

1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?

Yes, just skip the proofing step and mix it directly into the flour.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the dough, let it rise, shape into rolls, then refrigerate overnight before baking the next day.

3. What’s the best way to keep the rolls soft?

Store them in an airtight container or cover tightly with foil to prevent drying out.

4. Can I freeze the dough instead of the baked rolls?

Yes, freeze shaped dough balls before the second rise. Thaw and rise before baking.

5. What makes these rolls sweet?

A small amount of sugar in the dough and the sweet cinnamon honey butter.

6. Can I substitute margarine for butter?

Yes, but real butter gives a richer flavor.

7. Do I need a stand mixer to make these?

No, the dough can be kneaded by hand with a bit of effort.

8. How do I know when the rolls are done baking?

They should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

9. What’s in cinnamon honey butter?

Typically, it’s a mix of softened butter, powdered sugar, honey, and ground cinnamon.

10. Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Just ensure you have enough pans and space for rising and baking.

Conclusion

Texas Roadhouse’s Rolls are more than just dinner rolls — they’re soft, buttery clouds of comfort that make any meal feel special. With this homemade version, you can enjoy that restaurant-style indulgence whenever the craving strikes. Whether served with soup, salad, or on their own with a generous slather of cinnamon honey butter, these rolls are guaranteed to delight. Make them once, and you’ll want to bake them again and again.