Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

CaribbeanAuthentic Cuisine

Caribbean Soft Rolls

Serves 4 to 6 Bread vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Caribbean Soft Rolls

Caribbean Soft Rolls, a staple at home tables across the islands, are crafted with an intuitive touch. Salt is judged by hand, and butter is used generously, creating a soft and fluffy texture that has been perfected over generations. This is more than a recipe; it's a glimpse into the everyday life of a Caribbean family, where the table is always set for sharing.

These rolls should be tender and buttery, with a hint of salt. The milk adds a slight sweetness, balancing the richness of the butter. When done right, they are a melt-in-the-mouth experience, perfect for mopping up sauces or enjoying on their own. A true comfort, they invite everyone to reach for one more, making each meal a communal affair.

Ingredients

  • 500 gflour
  • 7 gyeast
  • 250 mlmilk
  • 50 gbutter
  • 1 tspfine sea salt

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g of flour, 7 g of yeast, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Make a well in the center and pour in 250 ml of lukewarm milk. Stir the mixture gently with a wooden spoon until it starts to come together into a shaggy dough.
  2. Melt 50 g of butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, pour the butter into the dough mixture. Use your hands to knead the dough in the bowl until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This should take about 10 minutes of kneading. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
  3. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm, draft-free area. Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. You will know it's ready when you gently press a finger into the dough and the indentation remains.
  4. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling it gently between your palms.
  5. Place the shaped rolls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each roll for them to expand. Cover them with the kitchen towel again and let them rise for another 30 minutes until they have puffed up and are touching each other slightly.
  6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Once the rolls have risen, bake them in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. The rolls are done when they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  7. Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. This will help the crumb set properly and prevent them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
  8. Serve the Caribbean Soft Rolls warm as part of your meal. They are perfect for sharing and will complement any Caribbean dish on your table.
Cover of Authentic Caribbean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Caribbean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Caribbean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Caribbean cuisine