• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Food Meanderings
  • Start HERE
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Courses
      • Breakfast and Brunch
        • Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast
        • Breakfast Potluck Ideas
      • Lunch
        • Sandwiches and Burgers
        • Salads
        • Soups, Stew & Chili Recipes
      • Dinner
        • Main dish
        • Pork Recipes
        • Pasta & Pizza Recipes
        • Casseroles
        • Chicken Recipes
        • Beef
        • Beef Recipes
        • Fish & Seafood
      • Desserts
        • Baked Goods
        • Bars and Squares
        • Cake
        • Cookies
        • Cupcakes
        • Frosting and Icing Recipes
        • Frozen Dessert Recipes
        • Healthy Dessert Recipes
        • No Bake Desserts
        • Pie and Pastry Recipes
        • Sweets
    • Cuisine
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
      • Southern Recipes
    • Dish Type
      • Appetizers
        • Dip Recipes
      • Breads
        • Bread Machine Recipes
        • Muffins
      • Side Dishes
        • Vegetables
      • Snacks
      • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
      • Drinks
        • Smoothies
        • Mocktails
      • One-Pot and One-Pan meals
    • Cooking Style
      • Dinner Party Recipes
      • BBQ & Grilling
      • Healthy Recipes
      • Seasonal Cooking
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
      • Vegetarian
    • Special Diet
      • Gluten-free Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian
      • Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Canada Day
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Earth Day Recipes
      • Father's Day Recipes
      • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
      • 4th of July Recipes
      • Halloween Recipes
      • Mother's Day Recipes
      • New Year's Eve Recipes
      • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
      • Stampede Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
      • Birthday Recipes
      • Valentine's Day Recipes
      • Game Day Recipes
    • Ingredient
      • Meat
        • Pork
        • Poultry
      • Pasta
      • Beans
      • Potatoes
      • Fruit
      • Rice
      • Egg Recipes
      • Chocolate
  • Meanderings
    • Articles
      • My Weight Watchers (WW) Journey
      • Weight Watchers Tips & Tricks
      • Comfort & Baked Expectations
      • Gingerbread: The Art of Food
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start HERE
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
×

Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Baked Goods » Breads

Granny Buns (Dinner Buns)

Published: Nov 19, 2020 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 11, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

Sharing is caring!

21 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest pin with white text on blue background on top and bottom and photo of dinner buns piled in wicker basket on top of black napkin

I love the name Granny buns because these truly are my Granny's buns. These dinner buns are the ones she made all the time when I was growing up. They would be at every family holiday dinner or gathering and they were highly coveted.

dinner bun on a black plate with a bowl of turkey noodle soup, a small white dish of butter and a basket of more buns in the background

These Granny buns are popular during holiday dinners such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch or Easter brunch , but are great for anytime of the year.

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 🌡️ Can they be frozen?
  • 👪 Servings Size
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥗 Side dishes
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Granny Buns Recipe (Dinner Buns)
  • 🍲More Holiday Side Dishes

Recently, my Grandma and I were talking about great recipes and she told me I just had to make these dinner buns! I didn't even realize they were the buns she was talking about. Once in a while she tells me I just have to make a recipe and the last time my Grandma told me that, it was our family's Old Fashioned Date Nut Loaf she was referring to. And  I was completely and unexpectedly blown away by how good it was! Was she ever right about that. So of course I couldn't resist making these grandma buns.

Granny buns piled in a basket

Aside from quick breads, I make most of my breads, buns and dough in my bread machine. Since I got a bread maker 25 ish years ago as a gift, I've naturally taken the path of least resistance. If you're interested, you can check out my Bread Machine Recipes HERE!   Plus, I don't have a lot of time on my hands for making bread. 

bread machine pizza dough on a cutting board

🥘 Ingredients

However, these Homemade Rolls are soo worth the time AND effort of making them by hand! And as far as I'm concerned, there is nothing in this world as divine as the smell of yeast and fresh buns baking in the oven. For me, it brings back some of the most wonderful baking (and eating) memories from my childhood. Yeast is the key ingredients but these dinner rolls have all the other usual suspects like water, oil, flour and eggs. but it's the additional sugar that makes them special. They are a little sweeter than your typical homemade roll.  

For this bun recipe, you'll need:

  • warm water
  • white sugar
  • instant yeast
  • eggs
  • cooking oil
  • all- purpose flour
dinner bun split open on black plate. Bottom of bun (on right) has butter on it and top of bun on left, has nothing on it. Small white dish of butter in the background and butter knife leaning on plate

When I told my daughter I could officially be a granny now because I made these Granny buns, she laughed and said I didn't have to worry about that. Apparently I already make so much old fashioned foods I'm well on my way... haha!  And when I think about it, I guess she's right. My Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake, Pistachio Fluff and my Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake are all pretty retro. And I'm sure there are many more that I just can't recall right now. 

🍽Equipment

I make these dinner buns in two  9X13 baking dishes (affiliate link).

🔪Instructions

Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in water, add yeast and stir well. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat together: eggs, oil, 1 cup sugar, then add yeast mixture.

Add 4.5 cups warm water and 4 cups flour. Beat well with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes.

Add 6 more cups flour; mix well.

Then add more flour (1 cup at a time) until dough is soft and spongy **I added about 1.5 cups flour in addition

dough in a bowl being pulled up by a hand to show it's soft and spongy

Grease the inside of a large bowl and place dough inside.

Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes, then punch down (See VIDEO for how to punch down dough)

Let rise again until double in size.

dough made into tennis ball size portions and set to rise in pan

Spray two to three 9X13 pans with non-stick cooking spray and make buns: Take the amount of a tennis ball and make it into a round (ish) shape and place in greased pan.

formed dough balls set to rise for an hour

Set to rise for about 1 more hour.

baked/lightly browned dinner buns in a glass 9X13 dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Bake at 350 degrees F/175 degrees C for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

🌡️Storage

Store these granny buns in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

🌡️ Can they be frozen?

I do NOT recommend freezing these buns. I found that the texture changed- they got a little gooey. If this recipe is too much, split it in half. Just adjust the amounts by clicking on the servings in the recipe card and selecting the number you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

👪 Servings Size

This recipe for granny rolls makes 30. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

🎥 Video

VIDEO: How to punch down dough

When you are preparing these buns, have a look at the video, as it shows you how much you should "punch down" the dough. I'm not sure about you, but I have a tendency to 'overpunch'; it's a good way to release tension 🙂 Punching down is actually an antiquated term, as artisan bakers prefer to treat dough more gently, pressing and gently deflating it rather than punching it.

To punch down dough, transfer it to a lightly floured surface, then use your fingertips to gently press and stretch it. Again, see video. This “punching” helps remove some of the bubbles of gas that have formed thanks to the yeast during the rising period. Gently deflating them gives the bread a finer texture. It also redistributes the cells of yeast and moisture so that they can ferment and rise during the next rising period. 

dinner bun on a black plate with a bowl of turkey noodle soup, a small white dish of butter and a basket of more buns in the background

🥗 Side dishes

These granny rolls go well with:

  • soup, stew or chili (Loaded perogy soup shown below)
  • as a sandwich buns
  • or on their own (slathered with butter.)
Loaded Pierogi soup with a plate of loaded pierogies in the background

However, they are simply amazing as a side with holiday dinners. I'll be having them with my Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners this year and I would encourage you to do the same! 

Although these soft dinner rolls may be old-fashioned, they are truly timeless... They have a fluffy cloud-like texture that a store-bought bun can't come close to!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make these dinner buns ? Please RATE THE RECIPE below

Granny buns piled in a basket
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Granny Buns Recipe (Dinner Buns)

These homemade Granny buns (aka dinner buns) are light, fluffy and soft. They are the perfect side to your Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter holiday meal or any meal!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Canadian, North American
Keyword: dinner buns, dinner rolls, granny buns
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 30 buns
Calories: 160kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar ( to mix with yeast)
  • 1.5 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4.5 cups warm water
  • 10 cups all- purpose flour, sifted + more as needed (I used 11. 5 )
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in water, add yeast and stir well. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat together: eggs, oil, 1 cup sugar, then add yeast mixture.
  • Add 4.5 cups warm water and 4 cups flour. Beat well with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes.
  • Add 6 more cups flour; mix well.
  • Then add more flour (1 cup at a time) until dough is soft and spongy **I added about 1.5 cups flour in addition
    dough in a bowl being pulled up by a hand to show it's soft and spongy
  • Grease the inside of a large bowl and place dough inside.
  • Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes, then punch down (See VIDEO in NOTES for how to punch down dough)
  • Let rise again until double in size.
  • Spray two to three 9X13 pans with non-stick cooking spray and make buns: Take the amount of a tennis ball and make it into a round(ish) shape and place in greased pan.
    dough made into tennis ball size portions and set to rise in pan
  • Set to rise for about 1 more hour.
    formed dough balls set to rise for an hour
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
    baked/lightly browned dinner buns in a glass 9X13 dish

Notes

*Please see post contents for important recipe information and tips!
Nutrition Facts
📋 Granny Buns Recipe (Dinner Buns)
Amount Per Serving (1 bun)
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 26mg1%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 24IU0%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bun | Calories: 160kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 20g (7%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 16mg (5%) | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 26mg (1%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 7g (8%) | Vitamin A: 24IU | Calcium: 5mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

🍲More Holiday Side Dishes

  • Carrot Casserole
  • Gluten-free Sausage & Apple Rice: An Easy Thanksgiving side recipe
  • Turnip and Apple Casserole
  • Green beans and Mushrooms: A Holiday Side Dish
  • Corn Succotash
  • Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
  • Easy Potatoes Romanoff (with slow cooker option)

More Bread recipes

  • Bread Machine Pizza Dough Recipe
  • Christmas Baking Collection
  • 40 Award-winning Recipes
  • Dairy Free Pumpkin Bread (with walnuts)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sue

    November 27, 2020 at 9:47 am

    It’s one thing to have a good recipe but quite another to have one passed down through the generations. Such a recipe is a treasured keepsake.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

More about me →

Comfort Food Recipes

  • Easy Turkey Pot Pie (with cream of chicken soup)
  • 31 Healthy Fall Soup Recipes
  • Reuben Soup
  • Lentil and Sausage Stew (with spinach)

More Comfort Food Recipes->

Footer

Featured On:

Taste Of Home Logo Parade Logo MSN Logo Master Chef Canada Logo Huffpost Logo Good Housekeeping Logo

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Foodmeanderings.com

21 shares