Soft Whole Wheat Honey Rolls with Cinnamon Butter

Ingredients:

For the Rolls:

•  2 packets or 4½ teaspoons 
• ½ cup warm water (90-110°F)
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup lukewarm whole milk (95-100°F)
• 3½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour PLUS extra 2-4 tablespoons if needed for kneading
• 1½ teaspoons sea salt
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

For the Honey-Cinnamon Butter:

• ½ cup softened butter
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Activate the Yeast Dissolve the yeast in ½ cup warm water in a glass measuring cup. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and ⅓ cup honey until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well, scraping down the sides. Pour in the warmed milk, avocado oil, and the yeast mixture. Mix until combined (it's okay if it looks a bit lumpy).

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients Add 3½ cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and the salt. Mix on low speed for 1-2 minutes until everything comes together and no dry flour streaks remain.

Step 4: Knead the Dough Switch to the dough hook attachment. Knead for only 1-2 minutes, just until the dough is no longer super tacky to the touch. Add 1-2 tablespoons of flour at a time if needed, but be careful not to add too much - the dough should still look slightly sticky but shouldn't stick to your finger when you touch it.

Step 5: First Rise Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour (or 20-45 minutes in a proofing oven at 95°F). The dough will puff up but may not fully double - that's perfect!

Step 6: Rest the Dough Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently with your hands 2-3 times. Cover with the kitchen towel and let rest for 3 minutes.

Step 7: Prep Your Pan While the dough is resting, generously butter a 13x9-inch baking pan on the bottom and all sides.

Step 8: Shape the Rolls Gently flatten the dough into a rectangle shape. The total dough weight should be approximately 1370 grams. Cut into 24 equal pieces (each piece should weigh about 57-58 grams). Shape each piece into a ball by pushing it through your thumb and fingers, then pinching the bottom closed. Place seam-side down in the buttered pan, arranging them 4 across and 6 down so they're all touching.

Step 9: Second Rise Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour at room temperature (or 30-45 minutes in a proofing oven at 95°F), until the rolls have risen to the top of the pan or just slightly above and are touching on all sides.

Tip: Set a timer for 45 minutes to preheat your oven to 350°F, then set it again for the final 15 minutes of rising time.

Step 10: Prepare Egg Wash Beat 1 egg with 2 tablespoons milk until smooth.

Step 11: Apply Egg Wash & Salt Gently brush the tops of the risen rolls with the egg wash. Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt while the egg wash is still wet.

Step 12: Bake Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top. Rotate the pan halfway through (around 10 minutes) for even browning.

Step 13: Make the Honey-Cinnamon Butter While the rolls are baking, whip together the softened butter, honey, cinnamon, and pinch of salt until light and fluffy.

Step 14: Finish As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, generously brush the tops with the honey-cinnamon butter. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then gently pull apart and serve warm.

Storage:

• Counter: Store covered for 1-2 days
• Freezer: Freeze in freezer bags for up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat wrapped in foil at 300°F for 15-20 minutes

Notes:

• The avocado oil keeps these rolls incredibly soft for days - perfect for meal prep!
• The extra honey adds just the right amount of sweetness without making them dessert-like
• The combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour gives you wholesome rolls with an incredibly soft, fluffy texture
• Don't skip the egg wash and flaky sea salt - they create that beautiful bakery-style finish!