Name: The Best Homemade Crescent Rolls from Scratch
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk, warmed; 2 1/2 teaspoon yeast; 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar; 3 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 egg, whisked; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon water

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Tearing apart one of these homemade crescent rolls and slathering it with honey butter is the stuff dreams are made of. You've probably had the canned rolls before and think they are great, but nothing is preparing you for this. These are light and flaky with a buttery flavor that makes them unforgettable.

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Crescent rolls in their traditional rolled and layered shape are one of the most iconic bread you will see on the dinner table. They pair well with soups, stews, chili, and even your favorite holiday meals. While the yeast roll recipe takes longer than some dishes, it's worth every second of work involved to produce this light and buttery result.

For those who enjoy preparing homemade bread, you will love this super soft potato bread recipe. It's another great option that serves wonderfully with meals but can also be used as a tasty little sandwich bread when toasted.

Are Crescent Rolls and Croissants the Same Thing?

While they are sometimes confused, they are two different rolls with different processes. A crescent roll is a yeast bread that rises to make them light and airy. The croissant is a flaky pastry that is made by layering dough and butter creating layers of flaky dough.

While both are delicious, they are not the same and require completely different processes to prepare. This crescent roll recipe is a perfect beginner roll recipe with simple to follow steps for anyone new to yeast bread.

What Can I Serve With Crescent Rolls?

While I like to brush the tops of these with melted butter or the honey butter sauce below, you may prefer something different. There is something about bread and rolls that just screams the need to spread something yummy on them or to dip them. Below are a few of my favorite options to spread on crescent rolls.

Softened butter
Apricot jam
Orange marmalade
Raw honey
Apple butter
Pumpkin butter
Apple jelly
Strawberry jam

Or go the savory direction and brush the tops with garlic butter or a savory butter and herb blend instead!

Can Crescent Rolls be Used for Sandwiches?

Yes! We love slicing open a crescent roll and stacking in lunch meat, sliced chicken breasts, or even turkey. They make a lovely little bite and are perfect for parties and appetizer trays. Serving this easy curried coronation chicken salad in a crescent roll is a perfect way to use these for a yummy little snack, lunch, or perfect bite.

Rolls like these aren't just for serving as a side to any entree, but they can be the base of your own favorite meals. Using them for sauces, meats, and cheeses as a base just makes sense.

What is Crescent Roll Dough Made Of?

Whole milk
Yeast
Sugar
All-purpose flour
Egg
Salt
Unsalted butter

Handy Kitchen Tools

How Do You make Crescent Rolls from Scratch?

In a large bowl, mix the warmed milk, yeast, and sugar then set aside for 10 minutes to bloom.

Once bloomed, add 3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, the whisked egg, ⅓ cup sugar, and the salt to the bowl with the yeast mixture and mix until incorporated. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook.

To the dough, add ¼ cup butter and an additional 1 tablespoon flour then knead for 10-15 minutes. If using a dough hook, knead for 10 minutes then transfer to a clean, floured surface, to continue kneading by hand for an additional 5 minutes to form the smooth ball.

Once the dough is a ball and smooth, place it into a large lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.

After 1 hour, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured clean surface and roll into a large circle.

Cut the dough like a pie into 16 sections.

Roll each triangle section from the largest end to the small end.

Place the rolls onto a lightly greased baking dish (9"x13") and cover, then let rest for an additional 30-minutes in a warm place.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and whisk together the egg wash in a small bowl.

Brush the tops of the rolls with egg wash, then bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Once cooked, brush the top with melted butter or honey butter sauce below.

How to Make a Honey Butter Sauce

When serving these crescent rolls, my family loves having a little honey butter spread over the top. I like whipping this up and brushing over the rolls just before serving.

3 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon honey

Place the butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15-seconds then stir and repeat if needed. Just brush over the tops of the rolls, or offer for dipping alongside the rolls at the dinner table.

More Comfort Food Recipes

If you want more delicious comfort food meals to add to your menu, you'll love some of these listed below. They are great for making you feel warm and cozy, but also ideal for sharing. Whether you want a quick meal or something that takes a bit more time to prepare, the list below has some great choices sure to please you and your family.

Chef's Tip

📖 Recipe

Yield: 16