Independent price guide. Not affiliated with Golden Corral. Prices vary by restaurant, so confirm before you go.

Menu
Find nearest
RecipesReviewed September 20268 min read

Golden Corral Yeast Rolls: What Makes Them Famous, Plus a Copycat Recipe

The warm yeast roll with honey butter is one of the most talked-about items at the buffet. Here is what to expect, what it costs to go and how to bake a similar roll at home.

Try the bread pudding recipeFind nearest
Illustration of a basket of golden yeast rolls with honey butter
Makes16 rolls
✓ Reviewed September 2026By the Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team† = estimate or varies by restaurant
Quick answer

Golden Corral yeast rolls are soft, slightly sweet rolls served warm with honey butter at the buffet, and many restaurants also sell them by the half dozen to go for about $4.† You can make a similar roll at home with flour, milk, yeast, sugar and butter in about 2.5 hours.

Why Golden Corral yeast rolls are so popular

A warm roll with honey butter is a comfort food ritual. Golden Corral describes its yeast rolls as a signature item, and guests often mention them as a reason to return.† The appeal is soft texture, a hint of sweetness and butter that melts on contact.

Golden Corral yeast rolls price and calories

ItemTypical price †Notes
Rolls with the buffetIncludedUnlimited at most restaurants
Six yeast rolls to goAbout $4Sold as a side at many restaurants
Rolls with an individual mealIncludedComes with the plated meal
For calorie details, see our Golden Corral nutrition menu guide. A homemade roll like the one below is about 170 calories.†

Copycat yeast rolls recipe

Prep30 minCook15 minTotal150 minYield16 rollsPer servingabout 170 cal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (500 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (one packet)
  • 1 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing
  • Honey butter: 1/2 cup softened butter, 2 tbsp honey, a pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Whisk the flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a large bowl.
  2. Add the warm milk, water, egg and melted butter. Stir into a shaggy dough.
  3. Knead by hand for 8 minutes or with a mixer for 5 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
  4. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 60 minutes until doubled.
  5. Divide into 16 equal pieces, roll each into a smooth ball and set in a greased 9x13 pan.
  6. Cover and rise 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
  7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 14 to 16 minutes until golden.
  8. Brush with melted butter right away. Whip the honey butter ingredients together and serve warm.

Tips for soft, fluffy rolls

  • Use warm, not hot, milk. Above 120°F can kill yeast.
  • Do not add extra flour while kneading. A slightly tacky dough makes a softer roll.
  • Bake until deep golden, then brush with butter while hot.
  • For a sweeter roll, add 1 more tablespoon of sugar.

Make-ahead and storage

  • Shape the rolls and refrigerate overnight, then bake after 30 minutes at room temperature.
  • Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months and reheat at 300°F for 10 minutes.
  • Store at room temperature in a sealed bag for 2 days.
Prefer a fluffier, pull-apart style? Try our soft dinner rolls recipe.

Variations to try

  • Garlic rolls: brush with garlic butter after baking.
  • Cinnamon rolls: roll the dough with butter and cinnamon sugar before baking.
  • Slider buns: shape into flatter rounds for burgers.

Troubleshooting

ProblemLikely causeFix
Dense rollsNot enough rising timeLet the dough double before shaping
Pale topsOven too coolBake at 375°F and check with a thermometer
Dry rollsOverbaked or too much flourBake until golden, not brown

Keep planning: related Golden Corral guides

These guides pair well with this page.

Golden Corral yeast rolls: common questions

Rolls are included with the buffet and with most plated meals.†
Butter and honey. Our recipe uses 1/2 cup butter and 2 tbsp honey.
Many restaurants sell them by the half dozen.†
Yes. Bread flour gives a slightly chewier roll.
Yes, use the dough cycle, then shape and bake as directed.
Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team
Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team

We research restaurant information, test recipes and update pages when details change. Independent and not affiliated with Golden Corral.

Keep planning your visit

Illustration of a tray of soft golden dinner rolls
Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe: Fluffy, Pull-Apart and Make-AheadThese tangzhong dinner rolls stay soft for days and pull apart in tender layers, a perfect...
Illustration of a baking dish of bread pudding with glaze
Golden Corral Bread Pudding Recipe: Copycat Style with Warm Vanilla SauceGolden Corral's bread pudding is a dessert-bar favorite. This home version has a creamy custard...
Illustrated buffet line with steaming hot trays behind a glass sneeze guard
Golden Corral Menu Prices 2026: Buffet, Family Meals and To-GoA clear, independent guide to what the Golden Corral menu costs in 2026, with typical price...

Craving more homestyle classics?

Free, independent and always labeled as an estimate.
Try the bread pudding recipe
Golden Corral Prices Guide is independent and not affiliated with Golden Corral. Prices, hours and offers are estimates and vary by restaurant. Always confirm locally.