Breads (Sourdough) - Soft Buns/Rolls
Rosemary Olive Soft Sourdough Rolls
May 24, 2022
| Recipe by Bake with Paws
Last Updated on September 3, 2025
By Bake with Paws
Bread rolls are a staple across cultures, but adding Mediterranean olives and fresh rosemary gives them an aromatic, savory twist. In this recipe, I combine two techniques I love—Sweet Stiff Starter (for mild flavor and better rise) and the Japanese Yudane method (for softer texture and longer shelf life). The result? Pillowy soft rolls with a subtle chew, perfect for both everyday meals and special gatherings.
Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Soft & fluffy texture – Yudane pre-gelatinizes flour, locking in moisture.
- Mild sourdough flavor – Sweet Stiff Starter reduces tanginess for a balanced taste.
- Savory & aromatic – Fresh rosemary and briny olives lift the flavor beautifully.
- Great shelf life – Rolls stay soft and fresh longer compared to standard sourdough.
- Versatile serving – Great as table rolls, sandwich buns, or enjoyed plain with butter.
How To Make Rosemary Olive Soft Sourdough Rolls
Ingredients (Yields: 9 Rolls)
Yudane Dough:
80g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
80g boiling water
Sweet Stiff Starter:
70g sourdough starter (100% Hydration), use at its peak
215g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
90g water
35g sugar (I used organic light brown sugar)
Main Dough:
70g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
All yudane dough (above)
All stiff starter (above)
15g - 20g light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp (7g) salt
50g cold egg, whisked (about 1 egg)
20g water, cold (reserve 10g and add in later if needed) *
30g extra virgin olive oil or butter (butter will yield better aroma)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary (can be replaced with dry rosemary)
35g pitted olive, cut into small pieces
Eggwash:
1 egg + 1 Tbsp water
Butter Rosemary Topping:
20g butter
Pinch of salt
1/2 Tbsp chopped rosemary
Utensil:
10 inches square pan
* Depends on your flour, because each flour absorbs liquid and hydrates differently. You may also add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time during kneading if the dough is too dry, when you see that the dough doesn't stick to the bottom at all. We want the dough to clear from the sides of the bowl with only a small part of the bottom sticking to the base of the mixer bowl. You should hear a slapping sound of the dough hitting the sides of the mixer bowl.
Step-By-Step Method
- Yudane:
- Add bread flour in a bowl, pour the boiling water and mix well with spatula or spoon until no dry flour.
- Cling film and leave on the counter for at least 4 hours or overnight in the fridge. I prepared the night before.
- Use directly from the fridge.
- Sweet Stiff Starter
- In a bowl of stand mixer, dilute starter with water, stir in sugar and add in bread flour. Mix with paddle attachment until well mixed and all come together. It can be done by hand mixing too.
- Cover and let it ferment until tripled. I prepared a night before and leave it in aircond room (approximately 24 - 25C room temperature) overnight until tripled. It took about 8 - 9 hours depending on your starter. It should take around 4 - 6 hours to get triple at room temperature at 28C - 30C. The starter should look smooth and round dome. It shouldn't collapse.
- Infuse Olive Oil with Rosemary
- In small saucepan over low heat bring the olive oil to just a simmer. Add in chopped rosemary, heat for about few minutes. Turn off heat, cover and set aside to cool for several hours or overnight.
- Main Dough:
- Put all ingredients (except oil) into a bowl of stand mixer. I usually torn the stiff starter and yudane dough into pieces first.
- Slightly combine the mixture by hand with the paddle attachment before turning on the machine so that the flour will not splash out. Using the paddle attachment, mix for 2 minutes or until all incorporated. This step is critical to prevent an uneven mixed dough as the stiff starter is rather hard and a dough hook may not be able to mix it well enough.
- Change to hook attachment and knead for another 3 minutes or until the dough comes together. Add in the infused olive oil in 2 batches and knead until olive oil incorporate with the dough. It took quite a while about 6 - 7 minutes for the oil to blend into the dough. Once the oil is well incorporated with the dough, then continue kneading for another 7 - 8 minutes (approx.) or until the dough become smooth, silky and reach window pane stage. The whole kneading process, I stopped few times to scrape down the dough from the hook to be sure it is evenly kneaded and also to prevent the motor from overheating.
- Fold in the olive. Round up the dough and put back in the same bowl. Keep it covered with clingfilm or use a lid.
- 1st Proofing/Resting:
- Let the dough rest for 30 - 60 minutes. This dough I rested for 45 minutes at 29C - 30C room temperature and the dough rose slightly. (I did not find any big differences of 30 mins to 60 minutes rest. So, please follow your schedule).
- Shaping (like Croissants):
- Transfer the dough to a clean floured surface then divide into 9 equal portions. Please use a kitchen scale if you want to be exact.
- Form each portion to a ball.
- Roll each dough ball into carrot shape.
- Flatten the dough with rolling pin then roll up like shaping a croissant
- Place the buns on lined baking tray.
- Final Proofing :
- Let the buns proof at a warm place until the dough rise double in size. This one took approximately 2.5 hours at at room temperature of 29 - 30C. The duration of proofing depends on your ambient temperature and the starter.
- Baking:
- Preheat oven at around 190C (top & bottom heat) or around170C (fan-forced) for 15 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, melt butter over low heat then add fresh chopped rosemary and salt.
- Remove rolls from oven, brush them with butter mixture and let them cool on rack.
Please click "Here" to see the Yudane and Sweet Stiff Starter diagram.
Main Dough & Shaping
General Tips for Perfect Soft Sourdough Bread Baking
- Sourdough Starter:
- A healthy starter is essential for successful bread baking. To ensure your bread rises well, it's important to feed your starter regularly and use it (the levain) at its peak. A consistently fed starter will be more active and reliable. If the mother starter isn’t strong, the dough may still struggle to rise properly, even if the levain is used at its peak. For more information, click the links: "How To Make Sourdough Starter" and "Sourdough Maintenance".
- Gluten Development:
- Essential for soft, airy bread, gluten is created when flour hydrates. To develop it, use techniques like autolyse or kneading. The windowpane test checks readiness—dough should stretch thin without tearing. From my experience, high hydration dough with high percentage of fat will be easy to stretch and achieve a paper thin windowpane stage.
- Kneading:
- Please regard the timing provided as an indication only. It is only meant as a guide. Times vary by flour and mixer type. For higher fat dough, knead longer (18–20 minutes).
- Flour & Hydration:
- Use high-gluten flour for optimal texture. Always reserve some liquid to adjust dough consistency for best results. If dough is too dry, add the reserve liquid one tablespoon at a time until the right consistency.
- Dough Temperature:
- Maintaining the right dough temperature during kneading is crucial for a fine crumb. If the dough becomes too warm, the crumb will become too big and uneven. To prevent this, use cold water, milk, or eggs, and chill your mixing bowl or hook attachment in the freezer. Knead at low speeds, and if your kitchen is warm, rest the dough in a cooler spot. Proper dough temperature ensures a soft, fluffy bread with a fine, even crumb.
- Proofing:
- Proofing time depends on your environment. Use the finger poke test to gauge readiness. To check dough readiness, lightly press the side with your finger:
- If it bounces back instantly, it’s under-proofed and needs more time.
- If the indentation stays, it’s over-proofed.
- If the indentation slowly bounces back, it’s ready to bake.
- There’s also a final rise called oven spring when the dough bakes, which adds to the bread’s height.
- Wrinkle Top or Shrinking:
- If your bread collapses or develops wrinkles on top after baking, it might be over-proofed during the second rise. Aim for the dough to rise to 80-90% of its final size or just below the rim of the pan to prevent this. Over-proofing leads to weaker structure, causing the bread to lose shape.
- Baking & Oven Temperarate:
- Do also note that the baking temperature and timing provided are what works for my oven and should also be regarded as a guide only. Every oven behaves a little differently, so please adjust accordingly for your oven.
FAQs about Rosemary Olive Soft Sourdough Rolls
Q: What is a Sweet Stiff Starter and why use it?
It’s a low-hydration sourdough starter fed with more flour and sugar. It creates a milder sour flavor, better dough strength, and sweeter aroma.
Q: Why combine Yudane with sourdough?
Yudane helps retain moisture, resulting in rolls that stay soft for days without losing texture.
Q: Can I replace fresh rosemary with dried?
Yes, but reduce the amount to about half—dried herbs are more concentrated.
Q: Can I prepare these without overnight retard?
Yes, but cold fermentation develops better flavor and structure.
Q: Can I freeze these rolls?
Absolutely—wrap tightly and freeze. Thaw at room temp or rewarm in the oven.
Other Recipes You Might Love
Subscribe Bake With Paws – Subscribe at Pop-Up Box
Love soft sourdough bakes? Subscribe to Bake With Paws through the pop-up box for fresh recipes, exclusive tips, and baking guides straight to your inbox.
Have a Question or Tried This Recipe?
I’d love to hear how your Rosemary Olive Soft Sourdough Rolls turned out! Share your photos, ask questions, or tag me on Instagram @bakewithpaws.
Labels:
Breads (Sourdough) - Soft Buns/Rolls,
Do you think I can substitute the filling with something like chocolate chip or ham and cheese? And when should I add them? Will it be the same technique?
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for reading this recipe and your questions. I added olive and rosemary as inclusion. If you would like to add chocolate chips or ham as inclusion, you can fold them in after kneading. Or you may spread your inclusion during shaping.
DeleteCheers:)
it looks yummy as always
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for your comment :)
DeleteThanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what size square baking pan you used~~ Did I miss it? I can’t find😂 And about 1st fermentation..
It doesn’t need the dough ferment into double size? Just rest for 30-60mins?
I’ll wait your reply~ thanks a lot :)
Hi, sorry for late response. I used 10 inches square pan (It is stated just above the MEHOD) lol...
DeleteI just let it proofed for 30 - 60 mins. This recipe used very high percentage of Sweet Stiff Starter which already went through long fermentation.
Cheers and happy baking :)
Hi YL,
ReplyDeleteI tried this recipe and it turned out well. The only thing was that the bun was sour. Is it supposed to be sour or could I have left the Stiff Starter too long? Please advise and thank you!
Hi YL,
ReplyDeleteI tried this recipe and it turned out well. The only thing was that the bun was sour. Is it supposed to be sour or could I have left the Stiff Starter too long? Please advise and thank you!
Hi, thanks for trying this recipe. Yes, this bread slightly sour side. The main reason is because egg is not used in this recipe. You may want to try this: In main dough, replace the 60g water with egg and increase the sugar to 10 or 15g. The starter also play a big role. If you feed your starter regularly and refresh until become healthy will yield less sour bread too.
DeleteI hope the above help.
Cheers :)
Kamsahamida!!!
DeleteMost welcome :)
Delete