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Make these Lion House Rolls as soon as you can. They are the most pillow-y, soft, tasty rolls I’ve ever made. You’ll love them!

The Lion House is a classic restaurant in Salt Lake City . They make amazing treats, but are really known for these rolls. Make these Lion House Rolls as soon as you can. They are the most pillow-y, soft, tasty rolls I’ve ever made. You’ll love them! We love to have these Lion House Rolls for Thanksgiving. They save really well for a couple days in an airtight container or ziploc bag.

I love how they cut the dough into small rectangles and roll up like a sideways cinnamon roll (like I have here). It’s like a big pillowy roll of dough.

Why These Lion House Rolls Are So Good

Ultra-soft texture: The dough is enriched with butter, eggs, and a touch of sugar, which keeps the crumb incredibly soft and pillowy.
The iconic Lion House shape: Rolling the dough into a rectangle and then rolling it up from the short side gives that signature spiral and those buttery layers.
Perfect for any dinner: Holiday meals, Sunday dinners, or a cozy weeknight, these rolls elevate everything. And they reheat beautifully (if you even have leftovers).

Tips for Success

Let the dough rise until really puffy: this is what gives them their cloud-like texture.
When shaping, keep the dough lightly floured, not heavily floured. Too much flour can make them dense.
When rolling, use your fingertips to flatten out the dough as you roll. This will give each roll more layers (and don’t worry they will rise again so flattening them will not result in a flat roll.)
Brush with melted butter the second they come out of the oven. This step is non-negotiable for that classic soft top!

Lion House Rolls

The best fluffy roll with layers of dough!

Make these Lion House Rolls as soon as you can. They are the most pillow-y, soft, tasty rolls I’ve ever made. Make sure to cover in lots of melted butter when they come out of the oven. You'll love them!

Makes 12-18 depending on size.

Ingredients

3 tbsp yeast
2 c very warm water
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c butter, melted
1 whole egg, whisked
2 tsp salt
5¾ c flour
extra butter, melted

Instructions

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add all ingredients except salt and flour. Mix well. Gradually add flour and salt. Knead for about 4 minutes. Kneading will help make the dough fluffier – make sure to knead well until the dough is smooth.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise until at least doubled, about 30-45 minutes. I like to let it rise a little more than doubled, and they turn out very fluffy.
Punch down dough. Spray a large surface with cooking spray and dump dough onto it. Roll out dough with a rolling pin into a large rectangular shape (about 1/4 inch thick).
Brush entire surface lightly with melted butter or spray entire surface with cooking spray – keeping the dough and your workspace very hydrated with butter or oil will keep the rolls soft.
Cut dough into rectangular shapes (or wide triangle shapes for a more crescent style roll: (about 12-18 total) .
Roll each rectangle (like a sideways cinnamon roll) and place sideways on a greased cookie sheet. As you roll, use your fingertips to push and flatten the dough. I like to push, then roll a little, then push and roll a little more. It seems counterintuitive to flatten the dough, but it will rise again, and flattening it thinner as you roll will ensure you more layers in each roll!
Cover and let rise until doubled.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake at 350°F for 13-16 minutes. Rolls are done once slightly golden brown.
Brush with lots of melted salted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
Stores well in an airtight bag or container for 2-3 days.
Enjoy!

Serving Ideas

Serve them warm with salted butter, honey butter, or your favorite jam. My kids love them with jam as a dessert also. They also make the best next-day/post-Holiday turkey or ham sliders: soft enough not to crumble, sturdy enough to hold fillings.

These Pillowy Soft Lion House Rolls are one of those recipes people will ask you for again and again. If you’re looking for the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, or really any time you need comfort food, this is it.

Hope you love these rolls! Be sure to tag me if you make them!