Dinner rolls are one of the easiest, most low-effort sides that will make you look like a pro at any family gathering this season. Cast iron ensures even heat distribution and exceptional retention, allowing dough to rise evenly while creating a perfectly crispy crust and a soft, airy interior for any dinner roll you bake. Give it a try.
This recipe may be modified for our No.8 Skillet by halving the ingredients.
FOR ROLLS
The Field Method for Cast Iron Care
Slightly warm the cream and milk. It should not be hot. Pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer.
Whisk in the sugar and yeast and set aside for a few minutes until the yeast begins to activate.
Add the yolks, flour(s) and salt — mixing by hand at first and then switching to the dough hook. Mix with the dough hook for 5-ish minutes until the dough is soft and passes the window pane test. Note: you can always tip the dough out of the bowl and knead by hand on a lightly floured surface.
Cover and let this dough rise for 8 hours in the fridge. Or, if you don’t have time, 1 hour at room temperature.
When ready to shape, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and roll them into uniform balls by scraping them across the counter. Place them seam side down in a butter coated, No.12 Cast Iron Skillet — leaving space for them to expand.
Cover and let rest at room temperature for an hour until doubled in sized. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F.
When ready to bake, paint egg wash onto each roll, sprinkles with flakey salt and bake for 30 minutes until golden.
Choose your own adventure: You really can’t go wrong here — add black pepper to the dough, add chopped herbs, sprinkle with cheese before they bake, use the same dough to make cinnamon rolls, brush them with butter when they come out of the oven — the possibilities are endless!
These Classic Dinner Rolls score a Better rating for your cast iron. While doughy and delicious, they don’t add any extra fat to enhance your pan’s seasoning. We recommend generously greasing your pan prior to use to protect and ensure maximum benefit.
Enjoy straight from the pan while they're still nice and warm, but we recommend cleaning things up right after serving and following the Field Method to keep your cast iron in good shape!
Best—These dishes are the best options for building resilient seasoning, and surefire choices for getting tricky pans back on track.
Better—The best way to keep your skillet in great shape is to cook frequently, and cast iron-friendly dishes like these are your bread and butter.
Safe—These recipes won't strip seasoning away from your pan, but won't really add any, either.
OK—Be sure to clean up promptly. Recipes with this rating might feature acidic ingredients which can affect seasoning if not washed soon after cooking.
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