Short Stack Kitchen

  • HOME
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Mail

search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Mail

×
Home » Recipes » Breads, Buns & Rolls

Sweet Potato Brown Butter Sage Rolls

Published: Nov 16, 2022 · Modified: Nov 28, 2025 by Lisa Flinn · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Sweet Potato Brown Butter Sage Rolls - Soft and fluffy rolls made with sweet potato, fried sage and brown butter! These will definately be a hit for your Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings!

These dinner rolls are seriously so amazing. They are the lightest and softest rolls ever and are so easy to make!

Ingredients

  • Whole Milk - The milk will need to be lukewarm, which is between 105ºF to 110ºF (40.5ºC to 43ºC).
  • Yeast - You can use active dry yeast or instant yeast for this recipe. Follow the recipe as written for either yeast.
  • White Sugar - The white sugar will feed the yeast and add a tiny bit of sweetness.
  • Sweet Potato Puree - Not only does the sweet potato add a bit of sweetness, it also makes the rolls so soft and moist.
  • Unsalted butter - We'll be browning the butter. It will be added to the dough and brushed on top after the rolls come out the oven.
  • Egg - Make sure it's at room temperature.
  • Bread Flour - I like to use King Arthur's bread flour. I have not tested these rolls with all-purpose flour.
  • Salt - Just a bit to round out the flavors.
  • Sage Leaves - We'll be frying fresh sage leaves in butter and adding it to the dough. If you're unable to find fresh sage leaves, you can use dried sage.

Instructions

Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below!

Step 1 - Fry your sage leaves and make your brown butter.

Step 2 - Meanwhile, clean, peel and dice your sweet potato and boil until fork tender. Drain well and finely mash your sweet potato with a pastry cutter, fork or potato masher and set aside.

Step 3 - In the bowl of your standmixer, add your warm milk, sugar and yeast. Allow to bloom for 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 4 - Add cooled brown butter, sweet potato puree, egg, salt, bread flour and chopped sage leaves.

Step 5 - Using the hook attachment, mix the dough on medium for 8 minutes. If the dough is still too wet, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time, but refrain from adding too much. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl, but it's okay if it sticks a bit to the bottom of the bowl.

Step 6 - Oil your hands and remove the dough from the bowl and shape into a ball. Oil the same bowl and place the dough back into the bowl. Cover with cling wrap and allow to rise in for 1 hour or until it doubles in size. It's okay if it takes a bit longer during the colder months.

Pro Tip - I like to heat my oven to the lowest setting for about 5 minutes, just enough to warm up. Turn the oven off and place the bowl in the oven and allow to rise for an hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 7 - Gently punch the dough down and portion into 12 equal pieces. I like to use a kitchen scale to help me divided it as evenly as possible.

Step 8 - Roll each piece of dough into a ball.

Step 9 - Place the rolls into a lightly buttered 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan, cover with a tea towel and proof for about 30 minutes.

Step 10 - Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 16 to 20 minutes.  Brush with reserved brown butter and flaky sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips

  • Use a kitchen scale to weigh all your ingredients. It's the best and most accurate way to bake. You can read more about this below.
  • If you are not using a kitchen scale, measure your flour correctly. Fluff and aerate your flour first, then spoon into your measuring cup and finally level off with the back of a butter knife. Do not pack it in as it will add too much flour.
  • Make sure your yeast is fresh.
  • Try not to add too much flour as it can make these rolls tough. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl, but it's okay if it sticks to the bottom of the bowl.
  • Place your dough in a warm area to rise and proof. I like to heat my oven to the lowest setting for about 5 minutes, just enough to warm up.
  • Feel free to add other herbs such as, thyme, rosemary or oregano.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Savory Mediterranean Babka
  • Tomato Tart with Basil Sauce Feature photo
    Tomato Basil Puff Pastry Tart
  • Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones

♡ Did you try this recipe?

Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review below. This provides helpful feedback to myself and other readers. Thank you so much!

📖 Recipe

Sweet Potato Brown Butter Sage Rolls

Lisa Flinn
Sweet Potato Brown Butter Sage Rolls - Soft and fluffy rolls made with sweet potato, fried sage and brown butter! 
no ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 16 minutes mins
Rise & Proof Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Yields 12 Rolls

INGREDIENTS

  • ⅔ cup (151g) Whole Milk warm
  • 2 ¼ Tsp (7g) Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 tablespoon White Sugar
  • ½ Cup (118g) Sweet Potato Puree
  • ½ Cup (113g) Unsalted butter browned and divided
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 3 cups (360g) Bread Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 12 to 15 Large Sage Leaves fried
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Brown your butter and fry your sage leaves - In a light colored saucepan, melt your butter on medium heat. Add your sage leaves and fry until crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Once crispy, remove from the pan and continue browning your butter. Swirl the pan constantly and once it reaches a golden amber color, remove from the heat and immediately pour into a glass bowl. Allow to cool at room temperature.
  • Make sweet potato puree - Meanwhile, clean, peel and dice your sweet potato and boil until fork tender. Drain well and finely mash your sweet potato with a pastry cutter, fork or potato masher.
  • Make your dough - In the bowl of your standmixer, add your warm milk, sugar and yeast. Allow to bloom for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add 5 tablespoons of your brown butter (make sure to mix well to get all the brown bits that have settled at the bottom of the bowl, reserve the remaining for later), sweet potato puree, egg, salt, bread flour and chopped sage leaves to the yeast mixture.
  • Using the hook attachment, mix the dough on medium for 8 minutes. If the dough is still too wet, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time, but refrain from adding too much. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl, but it's okay if it sticks a bit to the bottom of the bowl.
  • Oil your hands and remove the dough from the bowl and shape into a ball. Oil the same bowl and place the dough back into the bowl. Cover with cling wrap and allow to rise in for 1 hour or until it doubles in size. It's okay if it takes a bit longer during the colder months. 
  • Gently punch the dough down to release the gas and with a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut into 12 equal pieces. I like to use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough balls, about 65 grams each.
  • Place the rolls into a lightly buttered 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan, cover with a tea towel and proof for about 30 minutes.
  • About 15 minutes in, preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and bake for 16 to 20 minutes. Brush with reserved brown butter and flaky sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • These rolls are best eaten the same day. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or a week in the fridge.
Keyword brown butter, rolls, sage, savory, sweet potato
Did you try this recipe?Share your photo and tag us @shortstackkitchen on Instagram!

More Breads, Buns & Rolls

  • Jalapeño cheddar focaccia on a black cooling rack featured photo.
    Jalapeño Cheddar Focaccia
  • Soft and fluffy pizza babka features brioche dough filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and brushed with garlic butter.
    Pizza Babka
  • Nutella babka is made by layering tangzhong brioche dough with creamy Nutella and then baked with a cinnamon streusel topping.
    Nutella Babka
  • Cinnamon raisin brioche babka is swirled with cinnamon sugar filling and raisins and then topped with a streusel. The cinnamon raisin twist bread is soft and fluffy and cut into thick slices.
    Cinnamon Raisin Brioche

Leave a Rating and Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Final profile headshot 2025.

Hi, I'm Lisa! I'm the photographer, recipe developer, and content creator behind Short Stack Kitchen! Here you'll find both, sweet and savory treats to satisfy all your cravings.

MORE ABOUT ME →

Popular

  • Overnight plain bagel with blistered crust sitting on a baking sheet, featured photo.
    Overnight Bagel Recipe
  • lemon poppy seed yogurt loaf profile picture
    Lemon Poppy Seed Yogurt Loaf Cake
  • Chocolate Espresso Tiramisu Tart
  • Brown Butter Blondies w/ Chocolate Chips and Pecans
  • Toffee espresso blondies feature photo.
    Salted Toffee Espresso Blondies
  • Chocolate marbled banana bread slices sitting on a wire rack featured photo.
    Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread

♡ Lisa's Favorites

  • Banana Espresso Muffins featured photo.
    Banana Espresso Muffins
  • Hot honey drizzled over tall and flaky Parmesan Black Pepper Thyme Biscuits sitting a serving plate feature photo.
    Black Pepper Thyme Biscuits
  • Toffee cookie butter blondies feature photo.
    Toffee Cookie Butter Blondies
  • Macadamia nut shortbread also known as, hawaiian shortbread cookies are dipped in chocolate and sitting on a wire rack feature photo.
    Macadamia Nut Shortbread

Fresh on the Blog

  • Dreamy coconut mousse cake featuring a super moist coconut cake base, layered with a light and creamy coconut mousse, shredded coconut and Raffaello candy!
    Coconut Mousse Cake
  • Biscoff rice krispie treats made with marshmallows, cookie butter, rice krispies cereal and topped with chocolate, more cookies butter and Biscoff cookie biscuits.
    Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats
  • Super soft and moist peanut butter thumbprint cookies, also known as peanut butter blossom cookies are rolled in sugar and pressed with Reese's hearts peanut butter cups.
    Heart Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Strawberry rice Krispies treats with freeze-dried strawberries, mini marshmallows, white chocolate and sprinkles.
    Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • My Portfolio

Disclaimer

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Contact

  • Work With Me

Copyright © 2022-2026 Short Stack Kitchen | All Rights Reserved

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required