Texas Roadhouse (type) Rolls

You have to admire the genius that decided to offer free hot yeast rolls to seated guests at Texas Roadhouse restaurant (and the cinnamon/honey butter doesn’t hurt either!)  This recipe has invaded the blog world like a virus - and rightfully so.  The recipe is easy to reduce, freeze, and bring out a few at a time to bake fresh anytime you choose.

What a typical basket of Texas Roadhouse rolls looks like.
Hot & brushed with butter - they're hard to resist, don't you think? 

Admit it... when eating out and you smell hot rolls, you’re more motivated to stay and chat a while - right?  Well - add roasted, salted peanuts in a bucket to the mix and your total dining bill just grew.  My son-in-law describes Texas Roadhouse Rolls as addicting ‘as crack cocaine’.  

I don’t know if I would totally agree with him, but I do love hot rolls.  I also believe the thinking behind offering them free must have something to do with buying your patience as you wait for your dinner.  I’ve never been there when I didn’t have to wait to #1 - get in the door, #2 - get a table, and #3 - be served.  But somehow that doesn’t phase me when they bring out that basket of rolls and bucket of peanuts.

Maybe having these for Sunday dinner can work magic in a similar (but different) way.  People linger at the table longer, their conversation is more fun & relaxed, and they might even love what ELSE is on the menu!

I decided to use my food processor to make these.  As with any dough - a food processor works so quickly you have to be cautious not to overmix.  There is a “sponging” step in the recipe - which makes them really light and tender.  I’m sure if you are in a hurry, you can compensate for that by allowing the finished dough to rise once, and a little longer.  

Achieving the signature “rectangle” shape is done by using a bench scraper to cut and even out the edges of the dough as you form them.  If you don’t care to make them identical - you could form them into balls by hand.  

I baked six of these, then had an additional dozen to place on a baking sheet and freeze unbaked.  The next Sunday, I left them out on the countertop for about 4-5 hours and they were ready to bake after church.  That was a definite “perk” - hot rolls three times for the price of one!

These are not identical to Texas Roadhouse rolls - but close enough!

For the recipe - go to:

www.changeabletable.com