Parker House Rolls

Special meals deserve fresh dinner rolls! Make the dough ahead and freeze for when you need it. Originally created by an inspired 19th-century chef at Boston’s historic Parker House Hotel, these rolls become extra light and airy when baked with Swans Down® Cake Flour. Serve them hot at the dinner table or use for sandwiches or sliders.

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  • Can I use Swans Down Parker House Rolls recipe in a bread machine? If so what changes to the recipe are needed?

    • Hi Elliott, Unfortunately we haven't tested the Parker House Rolls using a bread machine to make recommended adjustments, BUT it's a great idea. We'll certainly pass this idea on to The Kitchen! Happy baking!

    • Hi Leslie, yes these can be frozen. You would want to freeze them before they rise. Roll out dough, cut into rounds, place in a pie dish, cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze.
      To bake:
      Place desired number of rolls on a lightly greased cookie sheet or in a cake pan 1-3 inches apart. Brush tops of rolls with melted butter.
      Thaw: Let dough thaw in a warm place (up to 110 degrees) free of drafts (1-2 hours), or covered in refrigerator overnight.
      Rise: Let dough rise until double in size (2-3 hours).
      Bake: Bake in a pre-heated 375 degrees oven 10-14 minutes. Remove from oven, lightly brush with additional melted butter. Turn rolls out of pan immediately to cool.
      Alternate quick-thaw & rise method. Heat oven to lowest setting for 5 minutes, then turn oven off. Place panned, basted rolls in oven to thaw and rise (1-2 hours).
      Come back and let us know if you try them. Happy Baking!

    • Hi Tiffany, Alternative milks are okay to use but best to use ones that have a more neutral flavor and that some may be unsweetened. Happy Baking!

  • I just noticed the use of active dry yeast, usually when you use active dry yeast it needs to bloom for 5 mins. Is there no temperature require for the liquid before mixing with all the ingredients? I'm thinking maybe there's no required for lukewarm or hot water to mix for all the ingredients because of the cake flour used in this rolls. Thanks.

    • Hi Wyna, Having the liquid ingredients at room temperature should allow the yeast to bloom. Happy Baking!

  • My mother-in-law used to make these rolls and they were so good! I got my Swans Down flour yesterday (hard to find in my area), and may try to make these and see if I can create a tasty memory!!

    • Hi JoAnne, If you have a paddle attachment you can certainly use it, or kneading by hand will work as well. Just please make sure you knead it well. Happy baking!

    • Hi Stella, Kneading by hand will certainly do the job. Just please make sure you knead it well. Happy baking!

  • Thank you for the recipe! We are quarantined for 1 more week and I want to surprise my roommate with some amazing rolls! We are so sick and trying our best to make each other yummy food when we have the energy.

    • Hi Kitty, Thank you for the post. These rolls are certainly yummy! We wish you a quick recovery. Happy baking!

  • Can I use Instant or Rapid Rise yeast. If so... would I need to make any further adjustments?
    (Amount of yeast, temp of milk, rising time, etc)

    • Hi Risa, We checked with the Swans Down kitchen and they tell us that yes, you can use Rapid Rise yeast without making any further adjustments. Thanks for the great question. Happy baking!

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