Description
Ricotta herb bread rolls bring Italian countryside charm to your table, blending creamy cheese and fragrant herbs in a delightful homemade experience. Warm, pillowy rolls promise comfort and flavor that will transport diners straight to a rustic kitchen in Tuscany.
Ingredients
Scale
Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
Main Dairy and Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (246 grams) part-skim ricotta cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup warm whole milk (100 to 110°F)
- 2 whole eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for coating
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 ½ to 4 cups (445 to 508 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
- Flake sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Whisk together warm milk, ricotta, olive oil, eggs, sugar, salt, herbs, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl until thoroughly combined and fragrant.
- Incorporate 2 cups of flour using a wooden spoon, mixing until a rough, uneven dough emerges.
- Attach the dough hook and gradually introduce remaining flour, kneading at medium-low speed until a cohesive mass develops.
- Increase mixer speed to medium-high and continue kneading for 4-5 minutes, creating a supple, smooth dough that remains slightly tacky but not overly wet.
- Transfer dough to a generously oiled large bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a draft-free area until volume doubles, approximately 1.5 hours.
- Prepare a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Gently deflate the risen dough and partition into 15 uniform portions using a bench scraper.
- Roll each portion into a smooth, taut ball and arrange in the prepared pan, ensuring slight separation between rolls.
- Brush rolls with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and permit a second rise for 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning rack in the center.
- Bake rolls for 25 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown exterior. Remove and allow brief cooling before serving.
- Store any remaining rolls in an airtight plastic bag, consuming within 3 days for optimal freshness.
Notes
- Soft, aromatic bread rolls infused with ricotta and fresh herbs, perfect for elevating any meal or enjoying as a standalone snack.
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to activate yeast without killing it, creating the ideal environment for soft, fluffy dough.
- Kneading develops gluten, which gives these rolls their tender, pillowy texture and helps them rise beautifully during baking.
- Letting dough rise slowly develops deeper flavor and creates a light, airy interior that melts in your mouth.
- Brushing rolls with olive oil before baking adds a golden, crispy exterior and enhances the herb-infused flavor profile.
- Store rolls in an airtight container to maintain freshness, and gently reheat for 10-15 seconds to recapture that just-baked warmth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg