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If you want your kitchen smelling amazing, I always toss this Buttery Bubble Bread in the oven. It turns out so rich and soft, everyone can’t get enough. These are the ultimate rolls to pull apart at dinnertime—super fluffy, soak up loads of butter, and perfect for busy nights or relaxed weekends.
The first year I baked this for Thanksgiving, everyone crowded the kitchen before dinner. Every piece vanished right away. Now it’s at the top of the list for any celebration meal.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Large egg: gives the rolls that extra soft, tender crumb—bright yolks really shine here
- Unsalted butter: adds loads of flavor inside and outside—always melt it fresh for the best taste
- All-purpose flour: makes the dough sturdy and helps it rise—check it’s not old
- Salt: keeps everything balanced—grab fine sea salt so it blends evenly
- Active dry yeast: gets the dough puffing up—make sure it’s fresh and still bubbly
- Granulated sugar: makes the rolls lightly sweet and helps the dough rise—simple white sugar does the trick
- Warm milk: gives richness and helps everything stay soft—whole milk gives the best texture but others work too
Simple Step-by-Step
- Finish and Serve:
- Wait a few minutes after baking, then brush more butter on top if you want. Pull the rolls apart and eat while they’re still warm and extra soft
- Bake to Perfection:
- Get your oven hot at 350. Set the pan inside and bake 25 to 30 minutes till the tops are super golden and you can separate them easily
- Second Rise:
- Cover the pan and let the dough rise again till puffy—just 30–45 minutes. This keeps things extra light
- Butter and Arrange:
- Coat your pan with butter, dunk each dough ball in more melted butter, and snuggle them into the pan. Don’t worry if you layer them; they’ll bubble up
- Form the Balls:
- Gently punch down the dough, split into 20–24 pieces, then roll each into a little ball with your hands
- First Rise:
- Set your dough in a greased bowl with a towel on top. Let it hang out in a warm spot till it doubles in size—takes about an hour
- Knead Until Smooth:
- Turn it onto a floured surface and knead using your palms and folding for 8–10 minutes. It’ll get glossy, stretchy, and bounce back if you poke it
- Mix the Dough:
- Grab a big bowl. Add your flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Pour in your bubbly yeast blend, melted butter, and egg. Stir hard till it’s scraggly
- Proof the Yeast:
- Stir together the yeast with a tablespoon of sugar and the warm milk, let it bubble up and get foamy so you know it’s alive and kicking
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I’m obsessed with all that melted butter—it’s honestly the best part. I always sneak an extra dab on my slice when the rolls are still steaming early in the day. These remind me of relaxed brunches with family and lots of happy chatter.
Storing Made Easy
Pop leftover bubble bread into any container with a tight lid and stash it on the counter for a couple days. If it cools down, just wrap it in foil and warm in the oven at 300 for about 8–10 minutes. You can freeze it, too; just slice or split it up before freezing and reheat pieces whenever you want.
Swap Ideas
Ran out of whole milk? Sub in some 2% or even use half milk and half water. The bread will be a tiny bit less rich, but still great. For a flavor switch, mix in a bit of garlic powder or your favorite dried herbs into the melted butter brush on top.
Serving Fun
Serve these straight from the oven next to cozy stews or soup, with roast chicken, or on your holiday table. It’s also awesome with some honey or jam for breakfast. Since it’s pull-apart, it’s just right for get-togethers and potlucks.
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A Bit of History
Bubble bread’s roots run deep in American comfort food—sometimes folks call it monkey bread. This buttery, savory one really stands out for dinners and gatherings. Makes me think of old-school bread baskets packed for the whole family.
Recipe FAQs
- → What's the trick for getting extra soft, fluffy dough?
Knead your dough for about 8-10 minutes, then leave it alone until it grows twice as big. This helps the gluten get just right so the bread comes out light as air.
- → Can I tweak the flavor?
Go for it! Stir in some chopped herbs, garlic, or even a sprinkle of cheese with your melted butter before dunking in the dough balls for a tasty twist.
- → What kind of pan should I choose?
Pick a round baking dish or a bundt pan—they both help your bread rise up pretty and bake evenly, making it easy to pull apart pieces later.
- → Will they keep if I prep ahead?
No worries. These rolls taste best the day they're made, but you can warm them up in the oven and they get nice and soft again.
- → Any ideas for serving with these rolls?
Try them with anything from jam at brunch to stews and roasts, or just on the side of your favorite bowl of soup.