Old Fashion Southern Butter Roll is rich, moist and decadent. Like many other Southern classics, this favorite dessert economical to make.


Old Fashion Southern Butter Roll
Old Fashioned Butter Roll has been a Southern favorite for years! In fact, I had an old newspaper clipping from long ago that I have passed over time and again and never made it. Saturday I wanted something sweet, but easy. There the clipping was again, begging to be made. The directions were simple enough so I gave it a try.
Wow, I wish I had not passed it over so many times before. I love it!! It was economical, quick, easy, and delicious!!






Old Fashion Southern Butter Roll
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
Butter Roll
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Milk Sauce
- 2 cups milk
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cut shortening into flour with a fork. Sir in milk. On a floured surface, dump out dough and press together with hands to form a ball. Roll into a rectangle (about 8x10). Spread softened butter over dough, sprinkle 1/4 c sugar and cinnamon over top. Roll up and press together lightly. Slice and place in an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- In a saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until bubbles just begin to form. Pour milk sauce over rolls. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly brown. Allow to sit and cool slightly. Great with vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
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Yamini says
Love this “OLD FASHIONED SOUTHERN BUTTER ROLL ” recipe, it seems so delicious. will surely gonna try this one. Thanks for sharing with us.
Mamie says
Can you add strawberry 🍓 inside the butter roll
Paula says
Yes
ammie says
If you add strawberries it is not a butter roll. This desert do not require changes. You are not making butter roll you are making a strawberry roll.
Michelle Grandell says
Paula,
I have looked all over and can’t find the ingredients nor the instructions
Mary M says
My mother made the tastiest butter roll. For many years I’ve tried to come up with a butter roll that compares to hers, but no luck. I am elated! that I’ve come across your recipe. The one thing that my mother did with her roll was to just leave it rolled, and then cook. She would cut servings from the roll.
Paula says
Oh, I like the idea of leaving it in a roll. I’ll try that.
Kay says
My grandmother used canned sweet milk instead of this sauce.
Elaine Matthews says
Am I missing something?? I can’t seem to find the sauce recipe?? Looks so good i wanted to try it! 🙂
Paula says
The milk sauce ingredients are listed in the gray recipe box above under ‘Milk Sauce’ – the last 3 ingredients and the instructions are in #2 in the ‘Instructions’.
Jennifer says
Sorry I still don’t find the recipe for the Milk Sauce, can someone help???
Paula says
It’s the last 3 ingredients and the second set of instructions
Ron Nelson says
This looks like something I have been searching for since I was 15, spent a year with my aunt in Sikeston, Mo. It was my favorite and I have never seen a recipe for an old fashioned butter roll! You may have just made me the happiest guy in the world! I have to try it, but it sure sounds the same. Ironically, I found by accident while scrolling and checking out the pecan cobbler and monkeybread. I am going to like your blog and I will let you know. Thank you so much. God bless!
Glenda B. says
I was so happy to find this recipe. My dad has spoken of these often. We are celebrating his 85th Birthday next week, and I’m going to surprise him with a Butter Roll! Thanks again.
Paula says
I am so glad you can make it for him! I love preserving these old recipes. Please let me know if he likes it!
Rosetta Parker says
Hi Paula,
I can’t believe that I’m looking at a recipe for a Butter Roll. I’m 69 years old, and I was raised on this. My mom used nutmeg and lemon flavor, and that’s the way I make it today. This is my oldest sons absolute favorite dessert.
I tweeked mine a little. I make my dough and cut into individual pieces, bake them separately. I make my milk sauce and pour over each when ready to eat. Left overs don’t get all soggy.
I’m an Oklahoma girl!
Paula says
I love the idea of baking them individually, Rosetta! I’ll have to try that. I got this recipe out of our local newspaper years and years ago. It’s now one of my favorites. I love bringing back Southern classics! Please share any others with me that you may have, I’d love to try them.
Jo Ann Leifeste says
My husbands family always made a butter roll. They left it in a roll & then added water & baked it. It had a self made sauce when it was done. It didn’t last very long either.
Tewaner says
I love these. I’m from Memphis and butter rolls will definitely draw a crowd. But what is milk sauce?
Paula says
The ingredients: 2 c milk,2/3 c sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla listed below “Milk Sauce” in the recipe are the ingredients that make the milk sauce, directions are in the ‘Instuctions’ on how to make it.
Liz says
All lovely recipes. Thanks so much.
Martha says
Used to have this at church potlucks when I was a kid. Maybe I’ll try it with some pillsbury cinnamon rolls & the milk sauce. Probably a dessert women came up with back in the days of home-made butter.