These Garlic Dinner Rolls are rolled up like a cinnamon roll and packed with butter, fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, and dried herbs for a rich, savory flavor. Then, they're baked in a cast iron skillet until golden brown and perfectly tender. Perfect for family gatherings or when you just need some warm, homemade rolls.
Add yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and add 2 tablespoons of warm water along with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until the yeast foams, about 3-5 minutes.
Add 4 tablespoons of butter to a large measuring cup. Microwave on high until just melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in buttermilk and let cool until it is just warm. Once warm, add to yeast mixture. Whisk in sugar and 1 egg.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and add to the egg mixture. Mix with a rubber spatula until the flour is absorbed, it will be very shaggy.
Add the dough hook and knead until smooth and does not stick to the sides of the bowl, about 5-6 minutes. It should not be sticky. Add to a buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
While it is rising, prepare the filling:
Add olive oil to a saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and ½ teaspoon salt and cook until it has softened, being careful not to brown it. Remove from the saucepan to cool. In a separate bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of softened butter with basil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and ½ cup of grated cheese and egg yolk, reserve the egg white for the egg wash. Add the cooled garlic and mix to combine.
When the dough has risen, place it on a large cutting board and roll it into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle. Spread the garlic mixture over the top of the dough leaving a ½ inch border on all four sides. In a small bowl, beat the egg white with a tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt. Brush the border with the egg white mixture. Roll the dough into a tight log.
Use a serrated knife and cut the log into 14 pieces about 1 inch slices. Place in a buttered 10 inch iron skillet or oven proof pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in a warm place, about 30 minutes.
Brush the top of the rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup of parmesan. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
This recipe is adaptable, you can leave out the cheese, or decrease the garlic per your preference. As written, the garlic flavor is prevalent.
You can refrigerate the dough once it has been made into rolls for 24 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, place in the skillet and let it warm up while the oven pre-heats.
You can use Italian seasoning in place of the basil and oregano.
Do not store the baked rolls in the iron skillet, remove to a wire rack to cool then place in an airtight container.