You can make cheesy dinner rolls from nearly any bread recipe or mix. (You can see how to make cheesy rolls from a recipe or mix here.) But this recipe is easy. Be sure to use sharp cheese for full flavor and be patient—let the bread rise until it is full and puffy.

Ingredients

5 cups good quality bread flour
1 7-gram packet of instant yeast
2 cups water at 105 degrees
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon dough conditioner
2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (not packed in measure)
1/4 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard (optional)

Directions

1. With your stand type mixer, combine about 2/3’s of the flour, the yeast, and the warm water. Mix with a dough hook for about 30 seconds. (This mixes in and hydrates the yeast.) Add the rest of the flour, and then the sugar, salt, and conditioner. Add the cheese. Add the optional spices. Knead with the dough hook for about four minutes on medium speed or until the gluten is formed. Add a little more flour or water if needed to get the right consistency.
2. Remove the dough to a greased bowl and let sit for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size and is puffy.
3. Divide the dough in two with a knife. Roll each half into a cylinder about the diameter of a golf ball. Using the knife, slice the cylinders into pieces. Roll each piece until it is round and the skin is stretched and smooth. Arrange on the baking sheet, cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour. Rise times will vary with environmental conditions, especially temperature.
4. While the rolls are still rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
5. Place the pan with the risen rolls on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is done and well-browned. If you have a probe type thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 200 to 210 degrees. Immediately remove the rolls from the pan to cool on wire racks.

Baker’s note: The optional spices accent the cheese flavor in the rolls. We often add both the white pepper and mustard.

If you have a kitchen scale, two ounces will make a good-sized dinner roll. This recipe will make 24 of these rolls.