The Softest Homemade Dough – Fluffy as a Cloud, Just Like My Great-Grandmother Used to Make

This is the kind of dough that melts in your mouth — light, pillowy, and full of nostalgic flavor. Passed down through generations, this recipe is perfect for both savory and sweet fillings, and it’s guaranteed to win over anyone at the table. Let’s make the most delicious homemade dough together!

📝 Ingredients

For the dough:

250 ml (1 cup) warm milk

1 tablespoon vinegar (9%)

50 g (¼ cup) sugar

20 g (0.7 oz) fresh yeast

1 egg white

A pinch of salt

1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

80 ml (⅓ cup) vegetable oil

450–500 g (3 ½ – 4 cups) all-purpose flour

For brushing:

1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon milk

For filling (choose based on preference):

Savory version: 80–100 g (3–4 oz) melting cheese (like mozzarella, cheddar, or cream cheese cubes)

Sweet version: Turkish delight pieces or sweet cream cheese

Optional topping: Sesame seeds

👩‍🍳 How to Prepare the Dough

Make the dough:
In a large bowl, mix warm milk with sugar, fresh yeast, vinegar, egg white, salt, and vanilla sugar. Gradually add the flour, mixing and kneading until a soft dough begins to form. Towards the end, add the oil and knead until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.

Let it rise:
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 35 minutes, or until it doubles in size.

Shape the dough:
Divide the dough into 20 to 27 equal pieces and shape them into small balls. If using filling, flatten each ball slightly and place a piece of cheese or delight in the center, then seal and reshape into a ball.

Prepare for baking:
Grease a 30 cm (12-inch) round or square baking pan with butter or margarine. Place the filled dough balls inside, leaving a little space between them. Cover and let them rise again for another 20 minutes.

Brush and bake:
Brush the tops with the egg yolk and milk mixture. Sprinkle sesame seeds if desired. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Final touch (optional):
Right after baking, you can brush the rolls with a mixture of 2 tablespoons oil and 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk for a glossy, slightly sweet finish. Alternatively, use melted butter for a classic, buttery shine.

✨ The Result?

Soft, fluffy rolls with a golden crust and a delicious surprise inside — whether it’s gooey cheese or sweet filling, every bite feels like comfort and love. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or alongside a warm cup of tea.