Homemade Yeast Rolls: From Noni’s Kitchen

Every family has that one recipe that carries more than flavor — it carries memory.
For me, it’s Noni’s homemade yeast rolls.

I can still see her kitchen clear as day — the soft light from the window, her apron dusted with flour, and the smell of yeast rising filling every corner of her house. She never rushed the dough. She’d hum an old hymn while she worked, smiling that quiet, knowing smile that told you love was the main ingredient.

Those rolls showed up at every holiday, every Sunday supper, every moment that mattered. And though I’ve kept her recipe close to my heart for years, something in me says it’s time. Time to share her story, her warmth, and her rolls — so Noni can live on in more kitchens than just mine.

A Sunday Supper to Remember

Tonight’s supper feels like the kind of meal Noni would’ve loved.
Racks of ribs slow-cooked to perfection, creamy mac and cheese, garden-fresh snaps, and a basket of her yeast rolls warm from the oven — golden, soft, and brushed with butter.

It’s Cam’s 24th birthday, and the house will be full — family gathered, laughter echoing through the kitchen, Xena Grace waiting patiently under the table for a crumb or two. My mama and Mr. B are coming, and it feels like one of those evenings where time slows down just enough to remind you what matters most.

That’s what Noni taught me — food isn’t just food. It’s love served warm.

Noni’s Homemade Yeast Rolls Recipe

There’s something almost sacred about making bread. Noni always said it was therapy before therapy was a thing. She made every batch by hand — no shortcuts, no gadgets, just her hands, her faith, and that quiet hum of an old hymn floating through her kitchen.
Now, I’ll be honest — I usually let my KitchenAid Stand Mixer do the heavy kneading for me these days. It saves time, especially when I’ve got ribs in the oven and rolls proofing at the same time. But I still like to finish it by hand — just enough to feel that connection to her.

How to make Homemade Yeast Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups boiling water
• ¼ cup Crisco (shortening)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup lukewarm water
• 1 ½ packets yeast (or about 3 ¼ teaspoons)
• 1 room-temperature egg
• 4–5 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, pour 1 ½ cups of boiling water over the Crisco, sugar, and salt. Stir until everything melts together. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
2. In a separate cup, mix the lukewarm water, yeast, and room-temperature egg. Stir gently, cover, and let the yeast bloom until foamy.
3. Once the first mixture has cooled, add in the bloomed yeast mixture and stir well.
4. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl (about 4–5 cups total).
5. You can store the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days, or shape it right away.
6. To shape, divide the dough into even portions (I measure about 100g per roll). Place rolls on a greased or parchment-lined pan, cover with a towel, and let rise 1–3 hours, depending on room temperature. They should double in size.
7. Bake at 425°F for 15–20 minutes. Halfway through, loosely cover the top with foil to prevent over-browning.
8. Brush the tops with melted butter if desired — then enjoy the heavenly smell of fresh rolls filling your kitchen!

Noni’s Wisdom

Maybe it was her laughter that made the kitchen glow. Maybe it was her faith that made everything taste better. Either way, Noni taught me that slow and steady is never wasted time.
She used to say, “Bread takes time — just like blessings.”
And isn’t that the truth?

The Gift of Simple Things

These rolls are more than a recipe — they’re a reminder of everything good and sacred about gathering.
Flour, water, yeast, and faith. That’s the foundation of Noni’s kitchen — and now, mine.
Maybe this week, you’ll take a little time to make something by hand. Something that reminds you of where you come from and who poured love into you first.
Because those old recipes? They’re more than directions. They’re fingerprints of the people who loved us into who we are.

Pin homemade yeast rolls for Later

Love this story? Pin it to your Family Recipes board to keep Noni’s legacy alive one kitchen at a time.

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