Texas Roadhouse Rolls Recipe (Copycat)
Few things say Texas Roadhouse like the basket of warm, pillowy rolls that hits your table the moment you sit down — slathered with sweet cinnamon honey butter. They're so good that many people ask for a second (or third) basket before their steak even arrives. The good news: you can recreate them at home with just a handful of pantry ingredients. This complete copycat guide walks you through soft, bakery-style rolls, the signature cinnamon honey butter, and every tip you need to nail them on the first try.
What Makes Texas Roadhouse Rolls So Good?
The magic is in a slightly sweet, enriched yeast dough. Milk, a little sugar, egg and butter give the dough richness, while the yeast makes it rise into something light and cloud-soft. When baked, the tops turn golden while the inside stays feather-soft and fluffy — exactly the texture you get at the restaurant.
The second half of the magic is the finishing touch: brushing the hot rolls with melted butter the moment they come out of the oven. This gives them that glossy, tender top and an extra layer of buttery flavor. Paired with the whipped cinnamon honey butter, they become impossible to stop eating.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the rolls you'll need: warm milk (about 110°F), active dry yeast, granulated sugar, one egg, melted butter, all-purpose flour, and salt. That's it — no special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.
For the famous cinnamon honey butter you'll need: softened salted butter, powdered sugar, honey, and ground cinnamon. Whipping these together until light and fluffy is the secret to that signature spreadable texture.
Because everything is likely already in your kitchen, these rolls have become one of the most popular copycat baking projects online — perfect for weekends, holidays, and family dinners.
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Rolls
1. Activate the yeast. Stir the yeast and a pinch of sugar into warm milk and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy. If it doesn't foam, your milk was too hot or the yeast is old — start over for the best results.
2. Make the dough. Mix in the sugar, egg, melted butter, salt, and flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand (or with a stand mixer and dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
3. First rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Shape. Roll the dough out and cut into squares — Texas Roadhouse rolls are famously square, not round. Arrange them on a lined baking sheet with a little space to grow.
5. Second rise. Cover and let the shaped rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
6. Bake. Bake at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes until the tops are golden. Brush generously with melted butter the second they come out.
How to Make Cinnamon Honey Butter
In a bowl, beat together ½ cup softened butter, ¼ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup honey, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Whip for 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer until pale, light, and fluffy.
Taste and adjust — add a touch more honey for sweetness or more cinnamon for warmth. Serve at room temperature so it spreads easily onto the warm rolls.
Tips for Perfect Rolls Every Time
Check your milk temperature. Around 110°F is ideal — warm to the touch but not hot. Too hot and it kills the yeast; too cold and the dough won't rise properly.
Don't rush the rises. The airy, fluffy texture comes from letting the dough fully double both times. A warm, draft-free spot (like an oven with just the light on) speeds things up.
Serve them warm. Rolls are best straight from the oven, but you can reheat leftovers for 10–15 seconds in the microwave to bring back that just-baked softness.
Storing and Freezing
Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze baked and cooled rolls in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
To reheat from frozen, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave individually. The cinnamon honey butter keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks — just bring it back to room temperature before serving.