Name: Iced Rolls from Brave Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups bread flour (plus more as needed & for dusting kneading surface); 1 cup milk (warmed to 110°F); 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons); 4 tablespoons sugar (for activating yeast); 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup butter (room temperature); 1/4 cup sugar (for sweetening dough); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; 4 cups powdered sugar (plus more as needed); 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature); 4 tablespoons honey; 1 cup milk (plus more as needed); Glacé cherries (for topping)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a treat that’s both charming and absolutely irresistible, then you absolutely need to try Iced Rolls from Brave. These heavenly buns bring together a tender, slightly sweet bread base with a luxuriously smooth honey frosting topped with a glace cherry that’s just begging to be devoured. The magic lies in the way the dough rises to perfection and how that frosting melts just right, creating a delightful combination that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t wait to walk you through this recipe so you can bring the joy of Iced Rolls from Brave right into your kitchen.

Iced Rolls from Brave Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sometimes, the simplest ingredients create the most memorable flavors. Each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role—from the bread flour that gives the rolls their structure, to the honey that adds a natural sweetness in the frosting, every component contributes beautifully to taste, texture, and look.

Bread flour (4 cups): Provides the perfect strong base for fluffy yet sturdy rolls.
Milk (1 cup + more as needed): Warm milk activates the yeast and keeps the dough tender.
Active rise yeast (1 packet): The key to those light, airy rolls that rise wonderfully.
Sugar (4 tablespoons for yeast activation + ¼ cup for sweetening dough): Helps activate the yeast and adds just the right touch of sweetness to the dough.
Eggs (2 for dough + 1 for egg wash): Adds richness and helps with browning for a golden crust.
Butter (¼ cup for dough + 4 tablespoons for frosting): Adds tenderness and depth of flavor both to dough and frosting.
Vanilla (1 teaspoon): A little flavor enhancer that elevates the dough’s sweetness effortlessly.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Powdered sugar (4 cups + more as needed): Makes the honey frosting smooth and sweet.
Honey (4 tablespoons): Adds floral sweetness and beautiful shine to the frosting.
Glace cherries: A classic and colorful finishing touch that makes the rolls look festive and inviting.

How to Make Iced Rolls from Brave

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by warming your milk to a cozy 110°F, which is just right for waking up the yeast without killing it. Pour the milk into your mixer bowl, add sugar, and sprinkle in the yeast. Whisk it all together gently and watch as the yeast comes alive, bubbling away in about 10 to 15 minutes. This step is what makes your rolls light and airy, so don’t rush it.

Step 2: Stir in Dough Ingredients

Attach your dough hook and set the mixer to a slow stir. Gradually add in bread flour, eggs, butter, and the sugar for sweetening the dough. Every few minutes, pause to scrape down the sides so everything incorporates evenly. This careful melding results in a beautifully sticky and cohesive dough.

Step 3: Mix and Knead the Dough

Next, stir in vanilla and salt, ensuring they are fully blended. Keep mixing for about 10 minutes until you have a thick, sticky dough. If the dough feels too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time, aiming for a smooth but tacky texture that won’t cling to your fingers or spatula. Continue kneading with the hook attachment to get that perfect elasticity.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Cover your dough bowl with a damp towel and tuck it somewhere warm and cozy for 60 to 90 minutes. Watch as it doubles in size—this is where the magic of yeast transforming simple flour turns into the soft, pillowy rolls everyone loves.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Once risen, punch the dough down gently and dust your surface with a little flour. Roll the dough into a long log and cut into 12 or 24 pieces depending on your preferred size. Place these pieces spaced apart on a baking sheet, cover lightly, and let them puff up again for another 15 to 30 minutes to get that extra fluffiness before baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water, and brush each bun with this glossy egg wash—it’s the secret to a beautiful golden color. Bake the buns for 15 to 20 minutes, until they look perfectly puffed and delicious. Let them cool slightly before moving on to the next steps.

Step 7: Make the Honey Frosting

While the buns cool completely, mix powdered sugar with honey and softened butter until crumbly. Slowly add milk one or two tablespoons at a time, mixing gently on low speed until the frosting is smooth and just the right thickness. This frosting is where Iced Rolls from Brave really shine, giving that luscious, sweet, and creamy finish you won’t forget.

Step 8: Frost and Garnish

Spread or pour the honey frosting over each cooled bun generously. Top each roll with a single glace cherry to add a pop of color and a touch of classic charm. Let the frosting set for about an hour if you have the time, or dive in immediately and enjoy this delightful treat fresh.

How to Serve Iced Rolls from Brave

Garnishes

Besides the iconic glace cherry, you can sprinkle some finely chopped nuts or a light dusting of cinnamon on top for a fun twist. These simple additions add texture and a hint of spice that contrasts beautifully with the sweet frosting.

Side Dishes

Serve these rolls alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee for a comforting breakfast or afternoon snack. Fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt can also complement the rich flavors and keep the meal balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not turn your serving of Iced Rolls from Brave into a festive centerpiece? Arrange the rolls on a decorative platter in a circle or pyramid shape, adding sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers for that extra wow factor whenever guests come over.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The rolls stay soft, and you can enjoy them as a quick snack or dessert without losing their charm.

Freezing

To make your life easier, freeze unfrosted rolls after cutting and shaping by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw and let them rise again before baking. This way, you can enjoy fresh Iced Rolls from Brave anytime you want.

Reheating

Reheat rolls gently in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 to 8 minutes to bring back their softness and revive that freshly baked aroma. Avoid microwaving as it can toughen the dough and melt the frosting too quickly.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

While all-purpose flour can work in a pinch, bread flour’s higher protein content helps develop gluten better, giving the rolls their signature chewy yet soft texture. For best results, stick with bread flour.

Is it okay to substitute honey with another sweetener in the frosting?

Honey adds a unique floral sweetness and shine to the frosting, but you can use maple syrup or corn syrup as alternatives. Just keep in mind it may slightly change the flavor and consistency.

How long do I let the dough rise if my kitchen is cool?

In cooler environments, the dough may take longer—sometimes up to 2 hours—to double in size. Be patient and look for the size increase rather than the clock.

Can I make the dough by hand instead of a mixer?

Absolutely! It will take longer to mix and knead by hand, but the process and results are just as good. Just be sure to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

What if my rolls don’t brown evenly?

Egg wash helps promote even browning, but uneven oven heat can affect results. Turning the baking sheet halfway through baking can help achieve a beautiful golden color all around.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about making Iced Rolls from Brave at home—it’s not just a recipe but a joyful experience that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas and your heart with delight. These rolls are perfect for sharing or a sweet treat to ourselves, and I hope you have as much fun baking and savoring them as I always do. Give them a try, and prepare for lots of happy smiles!

Iced Rolls from Brave Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 12 large rolls or 24 small rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight in the soft, sweet, and fluffy Iced Rolls, a classic treat featuring a tender bread dough topped with a luscious honey frosting and crowned with a glacé cherry. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or special occasions, these rolls combine the comforting flavors of vanilla and butter with a deliciously smooth honey glaze.

Instructions

Activate yeast: Warm the milk to 90-110°F. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer, then add 4 tablespoons of sugar and the active dry yeast. Whisk gently to combine and let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.
Combine dough ingredients: Attach the dough hook to the mixer. On the stir setting, slowly add the bread flour, eggs, room temperature butter, and 1/4 cup sugar meant for the dough sweetening into the yeast mixture. Pause periodically to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
Add flavorings: Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Continue mixing until a thick and sticky dough forms, about 10 minutes.
Knead dough: If the dough is overly sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time until it feels smooth, thick but not sticking to fingers or spatula. Knead the dough with the dough hook for another 10 minutes until elastic and cohesive.
First rise: Cover the dough bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm spot. Allow it to rise for 60-90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
Shape rolls: Punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead gently and roll the dough into a long log shape. Cut into 12 pieces for larger buns or 24 for smaller ones.
Second rise: Place the cut buns on a large baking sheet, spacing them 1-2 inches apart. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and a damp towel. Let them rise for 15-30 minutes until puffed up. Work in batches to prevent buns from touching. Refrigerate any extras to slow proofing.
Preheat and egg wash: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush each bun lightly with the egg wash for a beautiful golden crust.
Bake buns: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Prepare honey frosting: When the buns have completely cooled, combine powdered sugar, room temperature butter, and honey in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer on low speed, blend until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Thin frosting: Continue mixing on low, gradually add milk one or two tablespoons at a time until the frosting thickens to a smooth, pourable consistency. Add extra powdered sugar if the frosting becomes too thin.
Ice and top rolls: Spread or pour the honey frosting over each cooled bun. Place a single glacé cherry on top of each roll. Allow the frosting to dry for about an hour for a nice crust or serve immediately.

Notes

Make sure the milk is warm and not hot when activating the yeast to prevent killing the yeast.
The dough should be sticky but manageable; avoid adding too much flour to keep the rolls soft.
Brushing with egg wash gives the rolls a gorgeous golden color and shine.
Customize the topping by swapping glacé cherries with nuts or sprinkles for variation.
Store leftover iced rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Bread, Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 large roll (without frosting approx. 90g; with frosting approx. 120g)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 210 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg