Few restaurant appetizers have earned the legendary cult status of Texas Roadhouse dinner rolls. Golden brown on top, pillowy-soft in the center, and served piping hot with sweet, whipped cinnamon butter, they are practically impossible to stop eating.
This copycat texas roadhouse rolls with cinnamon butter recipe brings that unmistakable steakhouse aroma and pillowy texture straight into your kitchen. Using simple pantry staples and an easy proofing method, you can bake bakery-quality rolls that rival the restaurant basket every single time.
What Are Texas Roadhouse Rolls?
Texas Roadhouse rolls are sweet yeast dinner rolls baked in distinctive rectangular portions and brushed with melted butter the second they leave the oven. Known for their cloud-like, airy texture and delicate sweetness, they are famously paired with whipped cinnamon honey butter that melts into every warm layer.
Unlike typical savory crusty rolls, these dinner rolls have a brioche-like softness thanks to warm milk, egg, and plenty of butter in the dough, making them the ultimate comfort food companion to steaks, ribs, or Sunday dinners.
Why This Copycat Recipe Tastes Like the Original
Recreating that unmistakable steakhouse texture requires getting the dough hydration, proofing temperature, and finishing touches just right:
- Warm Milk & Egg Base: Using whole milk warmed to exactly 105°F activates the yeast gently while the egg enriches the crumb, giving these rolls their signature melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Double Butter Infusion: Butter is worked directly into the yeast dough and then generously brushed over the hot rolls the minute they emerge from the oven, sealing in moisture and creating that glossy golden sheen.
- Whip-to-Order Cinnamon Butter: Whipping softened butter with fragrant cinnamon and vanilla creates a silky, airy spread reminiscent of our popular Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to bake a batch of 16 to 18 homemade dinner rolls:
For the Dinner Rolls Dough
- All-Purpose Flour: 3.5 cups (about 420g). Measure accurately using the spoon-and-level method.
- Instant Yeast: 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp or 7 grams). Instant yeast mixes directly into the flour and yields a reliable, quick rise.
- Granulated Sugar: 1.5 tablespoons. Feeds the yeast and gives the rolls their trademark hint of sweetness.
- Salt: 2 teaspoons fine sea salt or kosher salt to balance the sweetness.
- Whole Milk: 1 cup, warmed to approximately 105°F. Milk provides richness and softens the gluten structure.
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, melted and cooled slightly (plus 2 extra tablespoons melted for brushing).
- Egg: 1 large egg, at room temperature. Running the uncracked egg under warm water for 2 minutes brings it to room temperature quickly.
For the Whipped Cinnamon Butter
- Unsalted Butter: 2 sticks (1 cup), fully softened to room temperature for easy whipping.
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon of high-quality ground cinnamon.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for warm aromatic depth.
- Powdered Sugar or Honey: 1/3 cup powdered sugar (or 2 tablespoons clover honey) for authentic steakhouse sweetness.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large Mixing Bowl or Stand Mixer: For combining ingredients and kneading the dough with a dough hook.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: To ensure your milk stays around 105°F so it doesn’t harm the yeast.
- Rolling Pin & Bench Scraper: For evenly rolling the dough and slicing signature rectangular shapes.
- Baking Dish or Baking Sheet: A ceramic baking dish or parchment-lined baking sheet for proofing and baking.
- Pastry Brush: To paint generous coats of melted butter over the hot rolls.
- Hand Mixer: To whip the cinnamon butter until light, fluffy, and cloud-like.
How To Make Texas Roadhouse Rolls at Home
Step 1 | Combine the Dry Ingredients in a Bowl
In a large mixing bowl, add the 3.5 cups of all-purpose flour, the packet of instant yeast, 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Whisk or stir the dry ingredients together until evenly distributed so the yeast is well dispersed throughout the flour base.
Step 2 | Pour in the Warm Milk and Melted Butter
Pour 1 cup of whole milk warmed to 105°F into the center of the dry ingredients. Add the 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (warm, not hot) and the room-temperature egg. Stir together with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft, shaggy dough begins to come together.
Step 3 | Knead the Dough Until Smooth and Supple
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead vigorously with the heels of your hands for 6 to 8 minutes, folding and stretching the dough until it becomes smooth, elastic, and supple. If the dough feels slightly tacky, that is perfect; avoid adding excess flour so your rolls stay cloud-soft.
Step 4 | Portion and Cut the Dough into Rolls
Shape the kneaded dough into a log or roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut the dough into even roll portions. Shape each piece into neat, plump rectangular rolls ready for the baking dish.
Step 5 | Proof the Rolls in the Baking Dish (45 Minutes)
Lightly grease a baking dish or baking pan with butter. Place the cut dough rolls side-by-side inside the dish. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 45 minutes until they have puffed up significantly and are touching edges.
Step 6 | Whip the Signature Cinnamon Butter
While the rolls finish proofing, prepare the famous cinnamon butter. In a medium glass bowl using a hand mixer or spatula, whip the 2 sticks of softened butter, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and powdered sugar (or honey) for 2 to 3 minutes until light, fluffy, and thoroughly whipped.
Step 7 | Bake Golden and Serve with Warm Cinnamon Butter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the proofed rolls for 15 to 18 minutes until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately brush generously with melted butter. Pull a hot roll apart, slather with generous scoops of whipped cinnamon butter, and enjoy!
Expert Tips for the Best Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Mind the Milk Temperature: Keep your milk right around 105°F. Liquids hotter than 115°F can harm yeast activity, while cold milk will slow proofing significantly.
- Room Temperature Egg: A cold egg right out of the fridge can chill the milk and solidify the melted butter. Submerge the egg in warm tap water for 2 minutes before cracking.
- Avoid Adding Too Much Flour: The dough should be soft and supple. Over-flouring during the kneading step will result in heavy, dense rolls rather than light, pillowy clouds.
- Brush with Butter Immediately: Brushing the rolls the second they come out of the hot oven traps residual steam, softening the crust into that trademark Texas Roadhouse texture.
6 Ways to Serve Texas Roadhouse Rolls
These versatile sweet yeast rolls are delicious in countless culinary presentations:
1. Classic Steakhouse Style: Serve straight from the oven warm in a bread basket alongside a generous ramekin of whipped cinnamon butter.
2. Pulled Pork or Brisket Sliders: Slice the baked rolls in half horizontally and fill with tender smoked brisket or barbecue pulled pork for bite-sized party sliders.
3. Holiday Dinner Centerpiece: The ultimate companion to roasted turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter feasts.
4. Breakfast French Toast Roll-Ups: Dip leftover rolls in cinnamon egg batter and pan-sear in butter for an indulgent brunch.
5. Savory Garlic Herb Twist: Skip the cinnamon butter and brush the hot rolls with garlic-herb melted butter and freshly grated parmesan.
6. Soup & Chili Dunkers: Dunk warm rolls into hearty beef chili, creamy potato soup, or rich autumn stews.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, store leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 10-12 seconds to restore that freshly baked softness.
Freezing Baked Rolls: Let baked rolls cool completely. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil, place inside a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm gently before serving.
Make-Ahead Dough: After cutting into rolls (Step 4), arrange the unbaked rolls in your baking dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them rise at room temperature for 1 hour until puffy, then bake as directed.
Texas Roadhouse Rolls FAQs
Texas Roadhouse cuts their dough into rectangles using a roller or cutter rather than rolling individual balls. This method preserves delicate air pockets in the dough and gives them their signature bakery-style shape.
Yes! If using active dry yeast, proof it first in the warm milk with sugar for 5 to 7 minutes until foamy before adding the melted butter, egg, and flour.
The combination of warm milk, an egg, and ample butter enriches the gluten strands, keeping the baked crumb tender, soft, and moist rather than chewy or crusty.
Store the whipped cinnamon butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving so it spreads easily.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Cinnamon Butter
Bake warm, ultra-soft, and fluffy copycat Texas Roadhouse dinner rolls right at home! These golden yeast rolls are brushed generously with melted butter hot from the oven and served with irresistible whipped cinnamon honey butter.
Ingredients
Dinner Rolls Dough
- 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 tsp / 7g)
- 1 cup whole milk (warmed to 105°F)
- 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing tops after baking)
Cinnamon Butter
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (or 2 tbsp honey, optional for sweetness)
Instructions
- Proof the Yeast & Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm milk (105°F), granulated sugar, and instant yeast. Add the melted unsalted butter (cooled slightly) and room-temperature egg, whisking until thoroughly combined.
- Add Flour & Knead: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the wet mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface (or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook) for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth, supple, and slightly tacky.
- First Rise: Form the dough into a smooth ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in volume.
- Roll & Cut into Rectangles: Gently punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 to 18 even rectangular rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the cut rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each. Cover loosely and allow them to rise a second time for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
- Bake & Butter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and immediately brush liberally with melted butter.
- Whip the Cinnamon Butter: In a medium bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat the softened butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract (along with honey or powdered sugar if desired) on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light, fluffy, and perfectly spreadable. Serve warm with the rolls!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 roll with butterAmount Per Serving: Calories: 248Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 298mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 4g
Baking this copycat Texas Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon butter recipe brings all the warmth and irresistible aroma of America’s favorite steakhouse right to your family table.
Enjoy them warm, spread generously with sweet cinnamon butter, and watch them disappear before dinner is even served!