Cracked black pepper dinner rolls are the perfect holiday meal sidekick. These rolls are light, buttery and fluffy with the slightest bite of pepper in the background. Think leftover turkey sliders on these rolls!

T-minus three days until Thanksgiving. I am ready to get through that day and on to Christmas. That’s only because I love Christmas, like, Buddy the elf style love Christmas.

This weekend, in between catching up on blog posts and laundry, Mike and I not only found time to decorate the whole house for Christmas, but also sneak in a little date night.

We went to a wine bar/restaurant. We did a fun little wine tasting before dinner since we had to wait 45 minutes for a table.

I like to think I can handle my booze. I mean, I do a monthly little thing called #BatchSesh after all.

Guess not though.

We sat down for dinner and I felt like it hit me all at once. It was that weird full, sleepy phase of drinking. I then stuffed my face with short ribs in hopes that would balance out the wine.

Instead, it had the opposite effect. It was also only like 6:45pm. I am getting old I guess.

I had this fear that this exact thing would happen on Thanksgiving and I wouldn’t be able to eat as much food as I wanted.

Enter cracked black pepper dinner rolls. Fluffy, slightly spicy dinner rolls with lots of water will help me and you through that big dining day.

Gotta get a good base going so you can absorb all the alcohol and still eat all the things. At least that’s my plan of action.

Cracked black pepper dinner rolls are light and fluffy with just enough pizzazz from the pepper to keep it interesting. While I was making these, I thought of Mike.

He always asks for bread with saucy food so he can soak up the gravy or tomato sauce leftover at the end of the meal. Normally, I think he is crazy but not this time.

Cracked black pepper dinner rolls and sopping up gravy were meant to be a pair.

I definitely think you’ll love these dinner rolls. Eat enough and you won’t be falling asleep at the dinner table at 6:45pm. Not that I did that on date night or anything.

Cracked Black Pepper Dinner Rolls

Yield: A Dozen Rolls

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Fluffy dinner rolls with flecks of black pepper are perfect served alongside decadent meats and potatoes during the holidays.

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Ingredients

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 3/4 cup while milk, warmed to 75-80 degrees
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten for brushing the tops of rolls

Instructions

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine the warm water, 1 tsp of sugar, and the yeast. Let the yeast sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Once the yeast is active, attach the paddle attachment. Mix in the remaining sugar, milk, egg, and butter. The butter won't combine fully and that's ok.
3. Mix in the flour, salt and pepper on low. Once combined, switch to the dough hook and with the mixer on medium, knead the dough for about 5 minutes until elastic, smooth, and still slightly sticky.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10-15 minutes. After 10-15 minutes, turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal sized balls. Roll and pinch tightly closed beneath.
5. Transfer the dough balls to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes until doubled in size.
6. During the last 10-15 minutes of the rise time, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Remove the plastic wrap. Brush each roll liberally with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
8. Let cool slightly, serve warm.

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