Ingredients

1/4 cup warm water

1 (.25-ounce) package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

3 1/2 cups (451g) all-purpose flour, divided, plus more if needed

1 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, divided

2 tablespoons honey

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 large egg

8 to 9 ounces (about 144 slices) thinly sliced pepperoni

Directions

Step 1)Proof the yeast and measure the flour:

Step 2)In a small bowl, place 1/4 cup warm water and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let it sit until dissolved and creamy, about 5 minutes.

Step 3)Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups (387g) flour and salt.

Step 4)Bowl of Activated Yeast for Pepperoni Rolls

Step 5)Melt the butter, then add the milk, honey, and egg:

Step 6)In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the honey and buttermilk, and heat just until warm to the touch (do not boil). Remove from heat and whisk in the egg.

Step 7)Liquid Ingredients in Pot with a Whisk for Pepperoni Rolls

Step 8)Make the dough:

Step 9)Add the water and yeast mixture to the flour, along with the buttermilk mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. At first it will be quite sticky. If needed, add the remaining 1/2 cup (64g) flour, bit by bit. Resist the temptation to add a lot of flour; you want a soft dough that’s still kneadable.

Step 10)Transfer to a clean counter and gently knead by hand until smooth and supple, about 5 minutes. I don’t need to flour my counter—if the dough sticks, it needs more flour. Place the dough in a large, greased bowl, cover, and let rise on your counter until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.

Step 11)Bowl of Flour and Wet Ingredients Mixed Using Wooden Spoon for Pepperoni Rolls

Step 12)Pepperoni Roll Dough on the Counter

Step 13)Knead Pepperoni Roll Dough on Counter Using Both Hands

Step 14)Pepperoni Roll Dough Risen in a Bowl

Step 15)Preheat the oven to 350°F:

Step 16)Position racks in the upper and lower thirds and line two baking sheets with parchment.

Step 17)Divide the dough and prep for baking:

Step 18)Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and let them rest on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes.

Step 19)Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Divide the pepperoni into 12 roughly equal piles.

Step 20)Divide Pepperoni Roll Dough Using a Bench Scraper

Step 21)Form the rolls, then let them rise:

Step 22)Take a piece of dough and pat it into a square roughly 4 to 5 inches across. Imperfection is totally acceptable here, and in fact slightly preferable. Shingle the pepperoni slices over the square, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the dough. Roll up the dough and firmly pinch the bottom seam to seal. Place it seam-side-down on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. You’ll wind up with 6 rolls per sheet.

Step 23)Brush the rolls with half of the melted butter. Cover each baking sheet with a clean dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes. The rolls will not puff up visibly.

Step 24)Pepperoni Added to Piece of Dough Next to More Dough and Pepperoni

Step 25)Roll Pepperoni Rolls

Step 26)Butter Pepperoni Rolls on a Baking Tray

Step 27)Bake the rolls and serve:

Step 28)Bake until lightly browned, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and back to front halfway through baking. Immediately after removing from the oven, brush with the remaining butter—you may need to rewarm the butter slightly before brushing.

Step 29)Serve warm or at room temperature. Keep the cooled rolls at room temperature in a tightly sealed plastic bag or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days.

Step 30)To freeze the baked rolls, cool completely. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap, then in foil, and then pop the individually wrapped rolls in a zip top storage bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw on the counter and, for the best eating experience, warm in a microwave for 15 to 30 seconds before eating.