4cups (530 g)self-rising flour, see note before starting
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, add the yogurt and honey and mix until thoroughly combined. Add in the flour and mix with a spatula or your hand just until all the flour is incorporated and a shaggy dough forms. I like starting with a spatula and then using my hand for the last part of mixing to fully incorporate all of the flour.
Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl into the fridge to rest (between 3-6 hours). This resting time allows the dough to develop more flavor and air pockets which will give it a better texture.
About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Add a large cast iron skillet (or large metal baking dish that is oven safe at 425°F) to the bottom rack of the oven while it preheats. Adjust the rack that the bread will bake on to just above the bottom rack (You want the bread to bake as low in the oven as possible so the surface doesn't get too dark). Bring a tea kettle or large pot of water to a boil.
After the dough has rested, wet your hands with some water. Grab one side of the dough, stretch it upward, and then fold it over the center of the dough. Repeat this process from all eight sides of the dough.
Generously flour a work surface with self-rising flour. Carefully turn the dough out onto the floured surface, seam side down.
Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide the dough into 12 equal portions. I recommend weighing the dough to make sure all the rolls are the same size.
Shape each piece into a ball by pulling the edges to the center and pinching to seal. Place seam side down on your work surface and roll under your hand to create tension and form a round, taut ball.
Place the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5-2 inches apart. If desired, you can brush tops of the bread rolls with egg white wash (see note for more details). This will give them a more smooth finish. This is optional and you can opt to not add the egg wash and your rolls will have a more rustic finish.
When your oven is preheated, carefully pour boiling water into the cast iron skillet/baking dish.
Then quickly add the baking sheet of rolls and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until dark golden brown on the outside and fully cooked. To check if bread rolls are done, you can tap the bottom and they should sound hollow. If you still aren't sure if the bread rolls are done, you can cut one open to check.
Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes before serving. If desired, brush the tops of the bread rolls with more honey before serving.
Notes
Yogurt: Make sure to use plain regular yogurt and not Greek yogurt or any other types of thick yogurt with high protein. The high protein will make your bread very dense. I used plain whole milk yogurt but it should also work with low fat or fat free yogurt.
Self-rising flour amount. There are 2 main kinds of self-rising flour sold in the US. One that is a lower protein (2 grams per 1/4 cup (30g)) flour and one that has a regular amount of protein (3 grams per 1/4 cup (30 g)). Brands like King Arthur Flour and White Lily make the low protein flour. Brands like Gold Medal and most store/generic brands contain a regular protein amount. The amount of protein affects how much liquid is absorbed. For this recipe, you want a flour with a regular amount of protein. Please use a self-rising flour with 3 grams of protein per 1/4 cup (30 g). Or make your own self-rising flour with the recipe below.
I made these with Gold Medal self-rising flour (Amazon | Walmart)*
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Homemade self-rising flour: Combine 4 cups of all purpose flour, 2 tbsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt. Whisk to evenly combine. Make sure your all purpose flour has a regular amount of protein (3 grams per 1/4 cup). Most brands in the US contain this amount but there are some brands with higher protein (4 grams per 1/4 cup) such as King Arthur Flour and Bob's Red Mill. You do not want a high protein flour for this bread. It will be dense and dry.
Optional egg wash finish: If you want the bread rolls to have an egg wash finish, add the egg white of a large egg into a small bowl and whisk it lightly. Then brush rolls with the egg white. Adding egg wash will make the surface of the rolls smoother and give them a slightly shiny finish. There will still be splits on the surface of the bread rolls but they will be more off to the sides of the rolls rather than on the top. If you don't do an egg wash finish, the bread rolls will have a more rustic finish with more splitting along the tops of the rolls and the bread rolls will have a more matte finish rather than a shiny finish.
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.