It took me five attempts to get these Big Soft Sandwich Rolls just right but I’m so happy with how they’ve turned out! Bread hasn’t always been my favourite thing to make. I’ll be honest, the time, effort and all the waiting can sometimes feel like a bit of a faff! But you know me, I’m always on the lookout for easier, family-friendly ways of doing things, especially when it comes to feeding the family.
And these big, soft sandwich rolls are the perfect example of something that’s well worth the effort.
A huge shoutout to my friend Dee, who inspired me with her recipe tips, perfect hydration and the rubber spatula technique. She shared these recently, and honestly, they’re brilliant! Sometimes it’s the simplest little tips that make all the difference. If you love baking, make sure you check out Dee’s incredible baking page, @mumsfoodies.
Perfect for those never-ending lunchbox dilemmas
Can we all agree that one of the hardest questions to answer some days is, “What will I put in the lunchbox tomorrow?”
I’m always trying to find ways to make family life that little bit easier and having homemade bread rolls ready to go is such a help.
These rolls are beautifully soft, delicious and perfect for all sorts of fillings. My two absolutely love them, and I can switch things up depending on what we have in the fridge.
A few family favourites include:
- Ham and cheese – a simple classic that never disappoints.
- Leftover roast chicken and stuffing – especially lovely after Sunday dinner.
- Chicken and cheese – perfect for using up leftover cooked chicken.
The beauty of these rolls is that they’re versatile enough for school lunchboxes, quick lunches at home or even a sandwich to take with you when you’re out and about.
Make a batch and freeze them
One of my favourite things about these rolls is how well they store in the freezer.
Make a batch when you have a little time, let them cool completely, and freeze them for another day. It’s such a handy way to get ahead and means you have homemade rolls ready whenever you need them.
Rather than having to make bread from scratch every time, you can simply take out what you need and have delicious homemade rolls on hand. Little things like this can make such a difference during a busy week!
And let’s face it, anything that helps take some of the stress out of getting lunches sorted is a win in my book.
Were five attempts worth it?
Absolutely!
I might have needed five goes to get these right, but I’m so glad I kept trying. There’s something really satisfying about learning a new technique, figuring out what works and finally getting the result you were hoping for.
If you’ve been thinking about trying homemade bread but have been putting it off because it seems like too much work, I hope this gives you a little encouragement to give it a go. You might need a bit of patience along the way, but the results are so rewarding.
Let me know in the comments what are your go-to lunchbox fillings? Are you a ham-and-cheese family, or do you love using up those Sunday roast leftovers just as much as we do?
Why You’ll Love These Big Soft Sandwich Rolls
- Soft, fluffy and delicious – perfect for making your favourite sandwiches.
- Family-friendly – a big hit with my two and ideal for everyday lunches.
- Perfect for lunchboxes – keep things interesting by changing up the fillings.
- Freezer-friendly – make a batch ahead of time and freeze for busy days.
- Versatile – delicious with ham and cheese, leftover roast chicken and stuffing, or whatever you have in the fridge.
- Budget-friendly – a lovely way to make your own bread at home and get more from your weekly shop.
These rolls are a brilliant addition to your family baking repertoire. Make them once, pop some in the freezer, and you’ll have delicious homemade sandwich rolls ready whenever you need them!
Once you’ve mastered these rolls why not try my easy overnight focaccia or miracle loaf. If you try any of my recipes don’t forget to tag me @littleloucooks, I love seeing all your makes and bakes, it really makes my day!
Big Soft Sandwich Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 g strong white bread flour
- 7 g fast-action dried yeast
- 25 g sugar
- 200 ml warm milk
- 160 ml warm water
- 1 tsp fine salt
- A little flour for dusting
Instructions
- Mix the warm milk, water, sugar and yeast. Leave for 5–10 mins until bubbly.
- Add the flour and salt. Mix to a sticky dough, cover and rest for 10 mins.
- Using a spatula, lift and fold the dough around 20-30 times.
- Cover with cling film or a clean tea towel and leave somewhere warm for 60–90 mins, until doubled.
- Divide into 6, gently shape into rectangles and place on a lined tray.
- Cover again, I use a large clean plastic bag it traps the heat, and leave to rise for 40–60 mins, until doubled in size.
- Bake at 180°C fan for 20–25 mins, until golden and hollow underneath.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing. 🥪
- Storage: Once completely cool, freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and warm gently before serving.
