๐ Introduction
These Sticky Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls are the kind of warm, fluffy, golden rolls that steal the show at any holiday table. Imagine soft, cloud-like dinner rolls brushed with a glossy layer of melted butter, rich honey, and fragrant fresh rosemary โ a sticky-sweet, savory glaze that soaks into every warm, pillowy bite.
Theyโre festive, aromatic, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make (especially if you use frozen rolls or a simple quick dough). Perfect for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, cozy Sunday meals, or anytime you want irresistible pull-apart rolls with a gourmet finish.
Every bite melts in your mouth โ sweet, buttery, herby, and utterly unforgettable.
๐งฐ Equipment Needed
- Baking dish (9ร13)
- Small saucepan
- Pastry brush
- Mixing bowl (if making homemade dough)
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
๐ Ingredients
For the Rolls
- 12โ15 frozen dinner rolls or homemade dough (recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing bowl/tray)
For the Sticky Rosemary Honey Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Optional: ยฝ teaspoon flaky sea salt
- Optional: ยฝ teaspoon vanilla for extra warmth
Optional Homemade Roll Dough (instead of frozen rolls)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2ยผ tsp) instant yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
๐ฉโ๐ณ Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough (Skip if using frozen rolls)
In a bowl, whisk warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and egg.
Add yeast, flour, and salt.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead 5 minutes until smooth.
Grease bowl lightly, place dough inside, cover, and rise 1 hour until doubled.
Step 2: Shape or Arrange Rolls
If using:
- Frozen rolls: simply place them in a greased baking dish, spaced evenly.
- Homemade dough: divide into 12โ15 balls and place in dish.
Cover and rise 30โ40 minutes, or until puffy.
Step 3: Make Sticky Rosemary Honey Butter
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt:
- butter
- honey
- brown sugar
Stir until smooth.
Add chopped rosemary and optional vanilla for warmth.
Remove from heat.
Step 4: Brush Before Baking
Brush half of the rosemary honey butter mixture over the unbaked rolls.
Reserve the rest for after baking.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
Bake rolls 18โ22 minutes, until golden brown on top and cooked through.
Step 6: Brush With More Honey Butter
While rolls are hot, brush generously with the remaining rosemary honey butter.
Optional: finish with flaky sea salt for a gourmet sweetโsalty bite.
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing
- Yield: 12โ15 dinner rolls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rise Time: 30โ60 minutes (if making dough or thawing frozen rolls)
- Cook Time: 18โ22 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour (less with pre-made rolls)
๐ง Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: 2โ3 days
Fridge: 4โ5 days
Freezer: up to 2 months
Reheat at 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) for 8 minutes or microwave 10 seconds.
Brush with extra honey butter when warming for best texture.
๐ฅ Variations
- Maple Rosemary Rolls: Replace honey with maple syrup.
- Garlic Herb Rolls: Add minced garlic to the butter.
- Brown Butter Rolls: Brown the butter for a nutty aroma.
- Spicy Hot Honey Rolls: Add chili flakes or hot honey.
- Orange Rosemary Rolls: Add orange zest to the glaze.
- Cheesy Rolls: Sprinkle parmesan or white cheddar before baking.
- Sweet Cinnamon Rolls: Swap rosemary for cinnamon + extra brown sugar.
- Thanksgiving Rolls: Add sage and thyme.
- Pecan Sticky Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans in the pan.
- Rosemary Sea Salt Rolls: Add flaky salt for a bakery-style finish.
โ 10 FAQs
- Can I make these ahead?
Yes โ assemble the rolls in a dish, cover, refrigerate, then bake the next day. - Can I use dried rosemary?
Yes โ use ยฝ teaspoon. - Do I need to thaw frozen rolls?
They should thaw and rise in the baking dish for 2โ3 hours. - How do I keep the rolls soft?
Donโt overbake โ check at 18 minutes. - Can I use Hawaiian rolls?
Yes โ slice in half, brush with glaze, and bake 10 minutes. - Can I double the glaze?
Absolutely โ extra glaze = extra sticky goodness. - Can I use salted butter?
Yes โ just reduce added salt. - Can I make these vegan?
Use vegan butter + maple syrup. - Can kids help?
Yes โ rolling dough and brushing butter are great kid-friendly steps. - Can I freeze the unbaked rolls?
Yes โ freeze shaped dough balls and thaw 2โ3 hours before baking.
๐ Conclusion
These Sticky Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls are warm, soft, fragrance-filled holiday perfection. The combination of golden rolls, sticky honey butter, and earthy rosemary creates a comforting, festive flavor that transforms even simple meals into something magical.
Perfect for Christmas Eve, holiday dinners, or any cozy night when you want to impress with minimal effort โ these rolls are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Sticky Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls โ Soft, Golden & Glazed With Sweet Herb Butter
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, whisk warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and egg.
- Add yeast, flour, and salt.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead 5 minutes until smooth.
- Grease bowl lightly, place dough inside, cover, and rise 1 hour until doubled.
- If using:
- Frozen rolls: simply place them in a greased baking dish, spaced evenly.
- Homemade dough: divide into 12โ15 balls and place in dish.
- Cover and rise 30โ40 minutes, or until puffy.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt:
- butter
- honey
- brown sugar
- Stir until smooth.
- Add chopped rosemary and optional vanilla for warmth.
- Remove from heat.
- Brush half of the rosemary honey butter mixture over the unbaked rolls.
- Reserve the rest for after baking.
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Bake rolls 18โ22 minutes, until golden brown on top and cooked through.
- While rolls are hot, brush generously with the remaining rosemary honey butter.
- Optional: finish with flaky sea salt for a gourmet sweetโsalty bite.
Notes
๐ง Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: 2โ3 daysFridge: 4โ5 days
Freezer: up to 2 months Reheat at 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) for 8 minutes or microwave 10 seconds.
Brush with extra honey butter when warming for best texture.
๐ฅ Variations
Maple Rosemary Rolls: Replace honey with maple syrup. Garlic Herb Rolls: Add minced garlic to the butter. Brown Butter Rolls: Brown the butter for a nutty aroma. Spicy Hot Honey Rolls: Add chili flakes or hot honey. Orange Rosemary Rolls: Add orange zest to the glaze. Cheesy Rolls: Sprinkle parmesan or white cheddar before baking. Sweet Cinnamon Rolls: Swap rosemary for cinnamon + extra brown sugar. Thanksgiving Rolls: Add sage and thyme. Pecan Sticky Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans in the pan. Rosemary Sea Salt Rolls: Add flaky salt for a bakery-style finish.โ 10 FAQs
Can I make these ahead?Yes โ assemble the rolls in a dish, cover, refrigerate, then bake the next day. Can I use dried rosemary?
Yes โ use ยฝ teaspoon. Do I need to thaw frozen rolls?
They should thaw and rise in the baking dish for 2โ3 hours. How do I keep the rolls soft?
Donโt overbake โ check at 18 minutes. Can I use Hawaiian rolls?
Yes โ slice in half, brush with glaze, and bake 10 minutes. Can I double the glaze?
Absolutely โ extra glaze = extra sticky goodness. Can I use salted butter?
Yes โ just reduce added salt. Can I make these vegan?
Use vegan butter + maple syrup. Can kids help?
Yes โ rolling dough and brushing butter are great kid-friendly steps. Can I freeze the unbaked rolls?
Yes โ freeze shaped dough balls and thaw 2โ3 hours before baking.