In a small bowl, add warm water and yeast together. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes. The mixture should become foamy on top. This means the yeast is alive and ready. If it does not foam, start again with fresh yeast.

In a large mixing bowl, pour warm milk, sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg. Stir everything together until smooth. Make sure the mixture is warm, not hot. This helps the yeast work better and creates soft, fluffy dough for your rolls.

Now pour the foamy yeast into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until everything is well combined. The mixture will look slightly creamy and smooth. This step builds the base flavor of your rolls and ensures even rising later during baking.

Add flour one cup at a time. Stir slowly as you go. The dough will start thickening. Stop adding flour when the dough is soft but not sticky. You may need slightly more or less flour depending on humidity and kitchen conditions.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 8–10 minutes. Push, fold, and stretch it. The dough should become smooth and elastic. If using a mixer, knead for about 5–6 minutes using a dough hook attachment.

Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size. This step is very important for soft and airy rolls.

Punch down the dough gently to remove air bubbles. Divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place them in a greased baking pan, leaving small gaps between each roll for expansion.

Cover the rolls again with a towel. Let them rise for 30–40 minutes. They should puff up and become soft and light. This second rise helps create that famous fluffy texture in the Paula Deen Yeast Rolls Recipe.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 18–20 minutes. They should turn golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to avoid over-baking.

Remove the rolls from the oven immediately. Brush them with melted butter while still hot. This gives them a shiny top and rich buttery flavor. Let them cool slightly before serving.