"Rolling" into Thanksgiving

Every fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to gather with loved ones, express gratitude, and reflect on history. This holiday also honors the first Thanksgiving feast, celebrated in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts—a harvest celebration shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. While today’s Thanksgiving menus differ greatly from the original meal of deer, wild fowl, fish, flint corn, and cornbread, one element has remained timeless: bread.

Modern Thanksgiving feasts are full of variety. Cranberry sauce, pies, turkey, and dinner rolls now take center stage. Data journalists David Montgomery and Kathy Frankovic report: “Overall, 81% of Americans say they will celebrate Thanksgiving this year, and 67% of Americans say they'll be eating turkey at Thanksgiving. Other dishes that at least half of Americans expect to eat at Thanksgiving are mashed potatoes, bread or rolls, pie, stuffing, and gravy.”

Thanksgiving food Statistics as recorded by Montgomery from YouGov

Among these dishes, bread stands out for its long history at the Thanksgiving table. Fifty-five percent of Americans say they plan to include some type of bread this year—that’s over half the population! Its popularity isn’t surprising, as bread is a versatile dish that everyone can enjoy. Yet, the story of how it became a Thanksgiving staple is more complex than you might think.

Bread has played many roles at the Thanksgiving feast, both as a standalone dish and as a key ingredient in others. It is believed that cornbread appeared at the first Thanksgiving, a reflection of the corn harvest that sustained the Pilgrims. Over time, bread became central to stuffing recipes. In an 1890 issue of Table Talk magazine, Mrs. S.T. Rorer included bread stuffing in her Thanksgiving menu, solidifying its place on holiday tables. Cornbread stuffing, in particular, remains a favorite for many, thanks to its historical ties to the Pilgrims’ first harvest.

By the late 19th century, bread began to appear on Thanksgiving menus in standalone forms such as cornbread, biscuits, and sweet rolls. Even in times of hardship, such as the Great Depression, bread maintained its role as a staple. In 1932, The Daily Record reported: “The Depression will in no way curtail the Thanksgiving Day feasts... 900 loaves of bread will be served throughout the community.” Bread has proven to be an enduring symbol of sustenance and togetherness.

So, will bread make an appearance on your Thanksgiving table this year? If so, what type will it be? Will you bake it from scratch, or will you pick up a pre-made loaf from the store? Imagine the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen—a smell that perfectly complements the sweetness of yams, the savory brine of turkey, and the spices of a warm pumpkin pie.

This month’s recipe is for Parker House Rolls, a classic New England dinner roll with ties to Massachusetts, the home of the first Thanksgiving. Created in the 1870s and named after the famous Parker House Hotel, these buttery rolls are known for their distinctive folded shape. Pair them with your favorite spread, or enjoy them warm straight out of the oven.

Today’s recipe is adapted from Betty Crocker’s 40th Anniversary Cookbook, with a personal twist: a touch of honey for added sweetness. Without further ado, let’s “roll” into Thanksgiving with my Honey Parker House Rolls!

Ingredients

3 1/2 to 3 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup of softened butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 package of quick-acting active dry yeast

1/2 cup very warm milk (120 to 130 degrees)

1/2 cup very warm water (120 to 130 degrees)

1 egg

For coating

2-3 Tablespoons of melted butter

About a Tablespoon of Honey (or to taste)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough

   • In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine:

     • 2 cups of flour

     • Sugar

     • Softened butter

     • Salt

     • Yeast

   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, warm milk8, and water.

     *if you need to get the milk warm, place in microwave for about a minute.

2. Mix Ingredients

   • Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients in the mixer.

   • Mix on low speed for 1 minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

   • Increase to medium speed and mix for another minute.

3. Incorporate Remaining Flour

   • Gradually add the remaining flour, using just enough to make the dough easy to handle.

4. Knead the Dough

   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

   • Knead by hand for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is soft and smooth.

5. First Rise

   • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.

   • Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

6. Shape the Rolls

   • Once the dough has doubled, divide it into two equal portions.

   • Roll out one portion on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.

   • Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles. Repeat with the second portion of dough.

7. Prepare Honey Butter

   • In a small dish, melt the butter and stir in the honey to make the honey butter mixture.

8. Assemble Rolls

   • Take each dough circle and gently flatten it further.

   • Brush the center of each circle with the honey butter mixture.

   • Fold the dough in half horizontally, then vertically, forming a folded quarter shape. (Like the diagram below)

     

   • Place each folded piece in a greased 9x9-inch pan, arranging them close together.

     

9. Second Rise

   • Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining honey butter mixture.

   • Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.

     
     

10. Bake

    • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

    • Bake the rolls for 12-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

11. Enjoy

    • Once cooled remove from the pan and serve

      • pairs well with

      • butter

      • cinnamon Butter

      • Apple Butter

      • Jams

      • honey

Sources

“American Thanksgiving.” Food Timeline.  https://www.foodtimeline.org/foodthanksgiving.html.

Frankovic, Kathy and David Montgomery. “Poll: What Americans Plan to eat for Thanksgiving.” YouGov. November 20,2024. https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/50983-poll-what-americans-plan-to-eat-thanksgiving.

Lamb, Catherine. “What Food was ‘Actually’ served at the First Thanksgiving.” Food 52. October 5, 2020. https://food52.com/blog/20949-what-was-actually-served-at-the-first-thanksgiving.

Tucker, Aimee. “Parker House Rolls: Recipe and History.” New England. November 13, 2020. https://newengland.com/food/breads/parker-house-rolls-recipe-history/.