When it comes to comforting Southern desserts, Nana’s Old-Fashioned Butter Roll recipe stands as a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical. This traditional treat combines basic pantry staples into a warm, buttery delight that has been passed down through generations of Southern families.
What is a Butter Roll?
A butter roll is a classic Southern dessert that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, comforting treat. It features a pastry dough spread with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, then rolled, sliced, and baked in a sweet milk sauce until golden and tender.
What makes this dessert special is how it creates its own sauce during baking. The milk mixture transforms into a creamy custard that perfectly complements the buttery, cinnamon-filled rolls.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Butter Roll:
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- ¼ cup shortening
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Sweet Milk Sauce:
- 2 cups milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cut the shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add milk, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times.
Creating the Butter Roll
- Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately ¼-inch thick.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough.
- Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, similar to making cinnamon rolls.
- Cut the log into 1-inch slices.
- Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Making the Sweet Milk Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg (if using).
- Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
- Do not bring to a boil.
- Pour the warm milk mixture over the butter roll slices in the baking dish.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving – the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serving Suggestions
Nana’s Butter Roll is best enjoyed warm, with the sweet milk sauce spooned over the top of each serving. For an extra special touch, consider these serving ideas:
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast
- Drizzle with a bit of honey or maple syrup
- Sprinkle with additional cinnamon or powdered sugar
- Serve alongside fresh berries for a fruity complement
Tips for the Perfect Butter Roll
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for easy spreading
- Don’t overwork the dough – handle it gently for tender results
- For extra richness, substitute half-and-half or cream for the milk in the sauce
- Allow the butter roll to rest after baking so the sauce can thicken properly
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the microwave or oven
The History Behind Butter Rolls
The butter roll has deep roots in Southern cooking, particularly in rural communities where home cooks needed to create satisfying desserts from pantry staples. This recipe exemplifies the “waste not, want not” philosophy that characterized Southern cooking for generations.
Butter rolls likely evolved from European pastry traditions but took on a distinctive Southern character with the addition of the sweet milk sauce. The dessert became popular during times when fresh fruit wasn’t readily available year-round, offering a sweet treat that could be made regardless of the season.
Why This Recipe Stands the Test of Time
What makes Nana’s Butter Roll recipe so enduring is its perfect balance of simplicity and comfort. The ingredients are humble, but the result is a dessert that feels special enough for Sunday dinner yet easy enough for a weeknight treat.
The combination of buttery pastry with the warm cinnamon filling and creamy sauce creates a multidimensional dessert experience that satisfies on every level. It’s no wonder that this recipe continues to be passed down through generations of Southern families.
For those seeking more delicious comfort food recipes, be sure to check out our Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs for a savory counterpart to this sweet classic.
Variations on the Classic
While Nana’s traditional recipe is perfect as is, there are several delicious variations you might want to try:
Apple Butter Roll
Spread a thin layer of apple butter over the dough before adding the cinnamon and sugar mixture. This adds a wonderful fruit flavor that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon.
Pecan Butter Roll
Sprinkle chopped pecans over the butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture before rolling. The nuts add a delightful texture and nutty flavor to the finished dessert.
Lemon Butter Roll
Add lemon zest to the dough and replace some of the vanilla in the milk sauce with lemon juice for a bright, citrusy version of this classic.
If you enjoy these flavor combinations, you’ll also love our Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs, which take a similar approach of rolling delicious fillings into a satisfying package.
The Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion
Nana’s Butter Roll recipe is remarkably versatile, making it appropriate for nearly any occasion:
- Sunday family dinners
- Holiday gatherings
- Potluck contributions
- Comfort food on rainy days
- Dessert for unexpected guests (since it uses basic pantry ingredients)
What makes this dessert even more appealing is that it doesn’t require any special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Everything you need is likely already in your kitchen, making it an accessible recipe for cooks of all skill levels.
After enjoying this sweet Southern classic, round out your meal planning with our savory Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs for a crowd-pleasing dinner option that’s just as comforting as this beloved dessert.
Print
Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs: Explosive Flavor Awaits!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cheeseburger bombs 1x
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8–12 pieces)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain excess grease.
3. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce to the beef; stir well and remove from heat.
4. Flatten each biscuit and place a spoonful of beef mixture and shredded cheese in the center.
5. Fold dough around the filling, sealing edges tightly, and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Mix melted butter, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Brush over the top of each bomb.
7. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Garnish with parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
You can replace cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for extra flavor.
Serve with ketchup, garlic aioli, or ranch for dipping.
These cheeseburger bombs reheat perfectly in an air fryer for 3–4 minutes!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American