Icebox Rolls

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Icebox Rolls are perfect for any occasion;  their buttery aroma and delicate texture are a great addition to cozy family dinners and larger, special gatherings. You will find yourself making these again and again.

If you are a bread lover, you are going to love these icebox rolls! These rolls are light and fluffy, making them a perfect treat for bread lovers.

You know how great it is to have rolls with any of your favorite meals. Well this icebox rolls recipe is perfect served with a hearty soup, a savory main course, or as a standalone treat.

If you make icebox dinner rolls in a fun cloverleaf roll shape, they look fancy, without extra work. My kids are always impressed by them.

The best part about this recipe though is how easy it is to make it ahead of time. After making the dough, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days! That means you have ready made dough you can use on busy weeknights.

And if you make them and have leftovers, you can freeze cooked rolls to serve another day.

What Ingredients are in Icebox Rolls?

• Warm Water: this activates the yeast
• Yeast: this makes the ice box rolls light and fluffy
• Crisco: this gives you soft rolls that don’t dry out before or after baking
• White Sugar: you only need half a cup sugar to bring out the natural sweet dough flavors and activate the yeast
• Boiling Water: this melts the Crisco and makes it easier to shape your homemade dinner rolls
• Salt: this balances all the flavors and stops the yeast from growing too fast
• Eggs: these add a richer flavor to the rolls and helps to bind the dough together
• All-Purpose Flour: basic flour is all you need to get wonderful yeast rolls

How Do I Make Icebox Rolls?

1. Combine yeast and lukewarm water in a small bowl or jar. Set aside.
2. Cream together Crisco and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add boiling water and mix until Crisco melts.
4. Add yeast mixture, salt, and beaten eggs. Mix well.
5. Slowly add single cups of the flour until the dough is no longer sticky. 
6. Place dough in a greased bowl, spray dough with cooking spray, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to four days.
7. When ready to use, shape into dough balls, let rise, and bake until golden brown!

Pro Tips: I like to make cloverleaf rolls by using well greased muffin tins. Place 3 nickel sized pieces of dough in each muffin cup, then let it rise in a warm place until you are ready to cook.

Why are they called Icebox Rolls?

Icebox rolls got their name from the way they are made. You can keep the dough in the refrigerator before making them. 

Before electricity and refrigerators, food that could go bad was literally kept in a box that was lined with ice to keep it cold. It was called an icebox.

Great recipes that have stood the test of time like this one keep their original names. So grandma’s icebox rolls keep the icebox name even though we don’t use boxes lined with ice in our kitchens today.

Can I Make Icebox Rolls Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. By storing dough in the fridge, you have no knead icebox rolls which allows you to enjoy fresh, warm rolls anytime without spending time kneading the dough again and again.

For best results, we recommend eating these the same day they are baked.

How Do I Reheat Icebox Rolls?

To reheat Icebox Rolls, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls on a baking sheet and warm them for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Run a stick of butter over the tops to give them a really fresh taste!

You can also microwave the rolls for a few seconds until warm. But be careful! If you do it too long, your roll will change texture and become gluey or hard.

What Can I Serve with Icebox Rolls?

Icebox Rolls are the perfect side dish anytime you want rolls with your meal. Serve them next to soups, stews, roasted meats, with jam as part of your brunch spread, or whatever you are eating tonight. These rolls are a perfect match for any meal.

Pro Tip: For a fun dessert, slice one in half, add your favorite jam (we like raspberry) and a nice dollop of whipped cream. And just like that, icebox yeast rolls change into cream buns that everyone loves to eat!

Are Icebox Rolls Freezer-Friendly?

Yes, Icebox Rolls freeze well. Once cooled, place the rolls in an airtight container or freezer bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Thaw them at room temperature and eat them, or you can reheat them for a warm and delicious treat.

Are Icebox Rolls Healthy?

While Cloverleaf Rolls are delicious, they are more of a treat than a healthy food. With their buttery goodness and fluffy texture, these rolls are meant to be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Are Icebox Rolls Vegan?

No, this refrigerator rolls recipe uses eggs in the dough to bind it and give it texture. That means this recipe is not vegan friendly even though it uses Crisco vegetable shortening instead of butter.

More Bread Recipes You’ll Love…

• Cornbread with Maple Syrup
• Homemade Flour Tortillas Crisco
• Banana Bread without Baking Soda
• Butternut Squash Bread
• Cinnamon Roll Bread
• Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls
• Old Fashioned Biscuits
• Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls
• Biscuit Bread Loaf
• Braided Yeast Bread
• Basil Bread
• Bread Knots Recipe
• Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread
• Cranberry Orange Bread

This make-ahead recipe ensures you have freshly baked rolls whenever you desire. Freezer-friendly and bursting with flavor, these icebox rolls will make any meal feel special.

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