Honey Wheat Rolls

Ingredients

For the Rolls

• ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk

• ¼ cup (60 ml) water

• 2½ teaspoons active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

• ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted

• ¼ cup (80 g) honey

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 teaspoon table salt

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 3–3½ cups (375-438 g) bread or all-purpose flour

Honey Glaze

• 1 tablespoon (20 g) honey

• 1 teaspoon warm water

• Old fashioned oats for sprinkling

Preparation Process

Step 1: Activate the Yeast: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine milk and water, heating to 115°F (45°C). Pour into a large bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar on top, stir, and let sit until foamy (5-10 minutes).

Step 2: Create the Dough: Once yeast is foamy, add melted butter, honey, beaten eggs, salt, whole wheat flour, and 1 cup of bread flour. Stir until well combined.

Step 3: Form the Dough Gradually add remaining flour until dough forms a ball and pulls away from bowl sides. Knead by hand or with dough hook for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: First Rise Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel. Rise in warm place until doubled (1-2 hours).

Step 5: Shape the Rolls Generously grease a 9"×13" glass dish. Punch down dough, transfer to floured surface, and divide into 15 equal portions (65-70g each). Roll into balls and arrange in prepared dish.

Step 6: Second Rise Cover and rise until puffed and almost touching (20-30 minutes). Test by gently poking—properly proofed dough springs back halfway.

Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk honey and warm water for glaze. Brush tops with glaze, sprinkle with oats, and bake 30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 185-190°F (88°C).

Nutrition Content (Per Roll)

• Calories: 185

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Protein: 5g

• Fat: 4g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 7g (natural honey)

• Sodium: 160mg

Rich in B vitamins from whole wheat flour and natural enzymes from honey, these rolls provide sustained energy and essential nutrients.

Pro Variation Tips

Herb Infusion: Add 1 tablespoon dried rosemary or thyme to the flour for aromatic depth.

Seeded Delight: Mix sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or flax seeds into the dough for added texture and nutrition.

Sweet Variations: Substitute honey with maple syrup or molasses for different flavor profiles.

Overnight Method: After first rise, refrigerate dough overnight. Bring to room temperature before shaping.

Dairy-Free Option: Replace milk with almond or oat milk and butter with coconut oil.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour blend with 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for structure.

Concluding Thoughts

These rolls taught me that simple ingredients, like acts of kindness, create profound impact. In refugee camps and village kitchens, I witnessed how sharing bread builds bridges. "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) reminds us that sustenance is both physical gift and spiritual blessing—each roll a prayer of gratitude.

Honey Wheat Rolls

Introduction

As a former aid worker who wandered through villages from Eastern Europe to rural Asia, I discovered that bread unites every culture. These honey wheat rolls, with their golden sweetness and rustic charm, remind me of shared meals that transcended language barriers and brought strangers together around humble tables.

Cuisine History

Honey wheat rolls represent the marriage of ancient grain cultivation and beekeeping traditions that date back to Biblical times. In medieval Europe, honey was liquid gold—a precious sweetener that transformed simple wheat flour into celebratory bread. These rolls became symbols of hospitality and abundance, gracing tables during harvest festivals and family gatherings. The combination of whole wheat's earthiness with honey's natural sweetness created a bread that nourished both body and spirit, embodying the agricultural wisdom passed down through generations.