Mamaw's Old-Fashioned Butter Roll

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Old-fashioned southern butter roll is comfort food dessert decadence. It's inexpensive, simple to make and brings back precious memories at mamaw's house.

Laura and Mamaw holding a dish of fresh baked rolls

Be ready! This is one of those desserts you'll find yourself wanting to eat directly from the pan. The flaky, rich biscuit dough puffs up and soaks in a decadent vanilla sweet glaze that's poured on top. Just one bite takes me back to mamaw and papaw's old Kentucky home!

Mamaw told me "My mommy taught me how to make butter roll. We always had the ingredients on hand it was cheap to make." Mamaw's mother passed away when she was 13, but she taught her how to make so many recipes that she's now passed down to her children, to me, and now to y'all as well. Along with her Fried Apple Pies, Applesauce Jam Cake, and Turtle Cake, Butter Roll is one of her most requested recipes.

Saucey, sweet and ooey gooey, butter roll is made out of just a handful of inexpensive ingredients. Baked until golden brown and topped with vanilla ice cream, it's heaven on a plate.

Table of Contents

What You'll Need

Self-Rising Flour
Shortening
Milk
Butter
Nutmeg
Water
Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Ice Cream, Optional

Tools You'll Need

13"x9" Baking Dish
Rolling Pin, Optional
Pastry Cutter, Optional
Ice Cream Scoop, Optional

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The ingredients are likely already in your kitchen!
It's a budget-friendly recipe!
You can customize the flavors to your liking!
Just one bite brings back sweet memories and it feels like home!

How to Make This Recipe

First, you'll make the dough. In a medium bowl, using a pastry cutter, fork or your hands like mamaw, cut the flour and shortening together until it resembles a small crumble. Add milk and stir until it's a cohesive ball.

Generously flour a flat surface, and turn the dough on top.

Roll the dough with a rolling pin or flat cup into a 12"x20" rectangle. Using a knife or spreader, spread 8 tablespoon of the butter onto the dough in an even layer.

If you'd like, sprinkle with nutmeg or your favorite butter roll fillings.

Roll the dough up from the short end into 3 individual log rolls. Cut those 3 log rolls in half.

Heat the remaining butter in a 13"x9" dish in the oven that's preheating to 450℉ until melted. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and place the rolls into the dish
For the glaze, in a medium saucepan, stir together water, sugar and vanilla. Heat just until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Carefully pour the syrup on top of the rolls.

Bake 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350℉ and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Slice and serve with a spoon of the glaze on top. Optional, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips and Substitutions

The shape of old-fashioned butter roll depends on the way your mamaw made it. It can be rolled into 3 logs like my mamaw does or into 2 larger logs. It can also be rolled cinnamon roll-style by rolling the flattened dough from the long side of the dough then cutting into 1-inch even rounds.
Other ingredients folks like to put in the center of the dough for butter roll are cinnamon, chopped dried fruit and chopped pecans.
The syrup poured on the dough will seem too thin. However, as it bakes, it'll thicken and puff up the dough.

Storage

Allow the rolls to cool to room temperature before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent the rolls from drying out. Store the rolls in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can also freeze the rolls for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, wrap the rolls in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
To reheat the rolls, remove them from the refrigerator or freezer and let them come to room temperature. You can then reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until they are warmed through. You can also microwave them for 10-20 seconds, or until they are warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the shortening be substituted with butter?

Yes. Make sure the butter is ice cold when cutting or grating into the flour. It should resemble a fine crumble when it's ready.

Is butter roll the same as cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon roll dough is typically made from a yeast-based recipe. Butter roll is more like a biscuit dough and doesn't include yeast.

Can butter roll be made gluten free?

Absolutely! Use a self-rising gluten free flour instead of regular self-rising flour is an option. If using an all-purpose gluten free flour, add 1 tablespoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt along with the flour.

Is butter roll a recipe I can adapt to be keto and/or diabetic friendly?

While many recipes have ingredients that can be substituted with lower carbohydrate ones, this is one has proven to be a pretty difficult one to have less carbohydrates. The substitutions I've used for the sugar in the glaze lended a much less than desirable texture.

Do I have to spread 8 tablespoons of butter on the dough?

Well, it's called butter roll for a reason. You could omit a tablespoon or two and probably be safe to assume your dough will still be yummy. However, the butter is a big contributor to the flavor and richness of this dessert.

If I don't want to make homemade dough, can I use store-bought puff pastry, crescent or pie dough?

While it might turn out to be a delicious dessert, these types of dough yields a completely different texture than traditional southern old-fashioned butter roll.

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Mamaw holding a basket full of fresh baked rolls

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