These quick, homemade crescent rolls are an easy (and buttery) addition to dinner or your next dinner or holiday. Make them at home instead of popping them out of a can and you will be surprised how easy and delicious they are.
0 In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 5 minutes.
1 To the yeast mixture, add the butter, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix on low-speed until the ingredients begin to come together. Still on low-speed, add 1 cup of the remaining flour and mix for 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 cup flour. Mix on low-speed until the final addition of flour is fully incorporated into the dough. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (Resist the urge to add additional flour unless the dough still refuses to come together after a couple minutes of kneading. The dough will still be slightly sticky, but you will know it is ready when it starts to make a slapping sound as it hits the sides of the bowl.) Remove the bowl from the mixer and cover it with a dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 20 minutes.
2 Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into an even ball. Using a serrated knife, cut the dough into quarters. Roll each ball of dough into a rough circle about 15 inches in diameter (no need to be too precise). Using a pizza cutter or knife, slice the circle into 8 even triangles. Starting at the widest end, gently roll each triangle up into a crescent shape. Place 1-inch apart on two lightly greased baking sheets.
3 Set the baking sheets aside and let the rolls rise while your oven is preheating to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) – about 20 minutes.
4 Lightly brush the rolls with about half of the melted butter before baking. Bake until golden brown, 13-15 minutes. Immediately after removing the rolls from the oven, brush them with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately.
