Can I make these rolls without buttermilk?

Yes! You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. The acid helps tenderize the dough, similar to real buttermilk.

Why did my sauce separate during baking?

This typically happens if the sauce was overheated before pouring over the rolls. Make sure to remove it from heat once it just begins to bubble, and stir gently rather than vigorously. Even if it looks slightly separated, the flavor will still be wonderful!

Can I reduce the sweetness of this recipe?

Certainly! You can reduce the powdered sugar in the sauce by up to half for a less sweet version. The sweetened condensed milk provides plenty of sweetness on its own.

How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?

The tops should be golden brown, and if you gently press the center of a roll, it should spring back slightly. If you're uncertain, use a knife to peek into the center of a roll - it should look baked through, not doughy.

Southern Butter Rolls Recipe

Name: Southern Butter Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup chilled buttermilk; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 2/3 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Description

Southern Butter Rolls are a rich and indulgent dessert perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. These buttery, cinnamon-spiced rolls are baked in a luscious milk-based sauce, creating a soft, warm, and melt-in-your-mouth treat. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, holiday celebration, or just because, these rolls are sure to become a crowd-favorite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the rolls:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chilled buttermilk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the sauce:

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare butter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Place one stick of butter on a plate near the oven to soften at room temperature. Cut the other stick of butter into small cubes and freeze for about 10 minutes to keep it chilled.
Mix the dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. This will ensure your dry ingredients are evenly combined.
Incorporate the butter
Add the chilled cubed butter into the dry mixture and toss to coat. Use your fingertips to pinch the butter and incorporate it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs or a meal-like consistency.
Add the buttermilk
Pour the chilled buttermilk into the mixture and stir until no dry flour remains. The dough will come together and be a little sticky.
Shape the dough
Dust a flat surface with flour and turn the dough out onto it. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour and roll it out into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
Add butter, cinnamon, and sugar
Carefully spread the softened stick of butter across the top of the dough. Sprinkle the remaining sugar and ground cinnamon evenly over the butter.
Roll and slice
Starting from one long end of the rectangle, roll the dough up jelly-roll style to form a log. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
Prepare the rolls for baking
Arrange the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the dish in the refrigerator to let the dough chill while you prepare the sauce.
Make the sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the condensed milk, whole milk, powdered sugar, butter, and salt. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble. Once done, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Assemble and bake
Pour the warm sauce over the rolls in the baking dish. The rolls will float slightly, which is normal. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the rolls are puffy and golden brown.
Serve and enjoy
Allow the rolls to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the sauce settle slightly. Serve warm and enjoy the irresistible flavors of Southern Butter Rolls.

Notes

For the fluffiest dough, handle it as little as possible once the buttermilk has been added.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of whole milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
These rolls pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 378
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 316mg
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 59mg