Baps Recipe (Scottish Morning Rolls)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My traditional Scottish Baps Recipe yields a batch of light and fluffy bread rolls that are just perfect any time of day! If the thought of bread baking is intimidating, our foolproof, 5-ingredient recipe is the ideal way to jump in and see how easy it is to make scrumptious homemade bread!

• Simply perfect: A straightforward ingredient lineup of flour, instant yeast, salt, and milk yields everyone’s ideal bread. The cloud-like roll is pure comfort food and is irresistible as-is or toasted.
• Versatile shape: This pillowy roll is made for sandwiches. So, whether it’s bacon and a fried egg for breakfast, butter and jam with an afternoon cup of tea, or stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies for an on-the-go lunch or dinner, a Traditional Scottish Bap will give you a hearty meal that you can hold in one hand!

To know a bap is to love it, especially when it’s as soft, fluffy, and versatile as this one. Baps are more than just bread rolls—they’re a piece of home for me, reminiscent of the sandwiches I grew up enjoying. I will walk you through every step of making these delightful rolls, so you can see just how simple and satisfying they are to bake. Plus, I’ve updated the photography to guide you toward perfect results, ensuring your baps turn out just as amazing as mine do every time!

I know you love the Bigger Bolder Baking mix of tempting brand-new recipes and delicious time-tested ones like these Traditional Scottish Baps. For more Irish and UK regional favorites that have been enjoyed for generations, be sure to try Mum’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe, Homemade Welsh Cakes, Traditional English Toffee Pudding, and Traditional Irish Barmbrack.

Bold Bakers Loved This!

“I tried this recipe, and it brought back so many fond memories of my trip to Scotland! The baps were perfectly soft and fluffy, just as described. I especially loved the pro tips and serving suggestions—so helpful for a beginner baker like me. Thank you, Gemma!” — Sara T.

“These baps turned out amazing! The step-by-step instructions made the process so simple. I filled mine with bacon and eggs for breakfast, and they were a hit with the whole family. This recipe is definitely a keeper!” — Liam O.

“I can’t believe how easy this recipe was! The detailed tips made me feel confident throughout. The baps came out soft, pillowy, and absolutely delicious. I’ll be making them again for our next family gathering!” Fiona

Table of Contents

• What are Traditional Scottish Baps?
• Tools You Need for Baps Recipe
• Key Ingredients and Why
• How to Make Scottish Baps
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips for Baps Recipe
• Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
• Baps Recipe Serving Options
• FAQs
• More Roll Recipes

What are Traditional Scottish Baps?

• Traditional Scottish Baps are bread rolls made from yeasted dough. They originated in Scotland and are popular throughout the UK. Baps are beloved for their soft, tender texture and deliciously versatile taste, which makes them the perfect companion for any filling or spread.
• Depending on the region, baps can also be referred to as a floury bap, a morning roll, a cob, a barm cake, buttery, a batch, and just a “roll”!
• The term “bap” is believed to come from the Old English word “bappe,” which meant a small loaf of bread. Baps became an everyday home-baked staple in Scotland in the 1700s and became increasingly popular with the rise of commercial bakeries in the mid-1800s. Now, they are loved more than ever and are becoming increasingly popular worldwide!

Tools You Need for Baps Recipe

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Glass measuring jug
• Kitchen scale (optional)
• Stand mixer with a dough hook
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush

Key Ingredients and Why

All-purpose flour

• All-purpose flour provides the structure for the baps. Its protein content is 8 to 11%, the perfect amount to make a strong gluten network, so the roll has both chew and tenderness.

Instant yeast

• Convenient instant yeast, which doesn’t have to be dissolved in water before use, speeds up the fermentation process.
• Instant yeast can be put directly into the dry ingredients. Salt can deactivate the yeast, so mix it with flour first.

Salt

• Salt enhances the flavors of the ingredients.
• Additionally, salt strengthens the gluten network, making the dough more elastic and easier to work with.

Whole milk

• Whole milk gives the baps moisture and a rich texture.
• Milk contains natural dairy sugar, which gives the rolls a subtle sweetness.

Water

• Water hydrates the flour to form gluten.
• Importantly, water activates the yeast.
• Use lukewarm water here. To tell whether the water is lukewarm, take a small amount of water and put your finger in it. If it feels close to your body temperature or slightly warmer, the water is lukewarm.

How to Make Scottish Bap Recipe

Make the dough

1. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook (or in a large bowl mixing by hand), combine flour, yeast, and salt at low speed for 30 seconds. 
2. Pour in milk and water. Next, mix at medium-low speed for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth. (If kneading by hand, knead for 15 minutes).

Initial Fermentation

3. Put the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover, put in a warm place, and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour. 

Shape the baps

4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Divide the dough into ten equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball. 

Final proof

6. Place the dough balls on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Bake and serve

8. Right before baking, brush baps with milk and lightly dust with flour. 
9. Then, bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. 
10. Cool and serve. 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips for Baps Recipe

• This recipe uses instant yeast, which doesn’t need to be proofed. If you want to use active dry yeast, use 1 tablespoon of yeast and proof it in the lukewarm milk that is used for this recipe for 10 minutes (or until frothy) before kneading in the rest of the ingredients.
• To make it ahead of time, roll the dough and refrigerate overnight. Take out the next day and allow to proof for 45-1 hour then bake.
• I use all-purpose four here to give you softer rolls. Bread flour will make them firmer and chewier and that’s not what you want.
• Everyone’s kitchen temperature is different. Watch the video for the signs of when your baps are proofed and ready to be baked.
• To make bigger rolls, divide the dough into 8 balls (about 90 g / 3 ounces each)
• You can make slider rolls by making these rolls half the size to yield 20 smaller rolls. The baking time will be shorter, so start checking them at about 12 minutes.

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

• Make ahead:
  • Make dough a day in advance.
    • After the first rise, shape the dough into rolls and place on a prepared baking sheet.
    • Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
    • Finally, let the dough come to room temperature before baking.
  • Bake baps and freeze.
    • Bake the baps and let cool to room temperature.
    • Wrap tightly or put into airtight containers.
    • Freeze for up to six weeks.
    • When ready to serve, let the rolls thaw overnight in the fridge.
    • Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes.
• How to store leftovers:
  • Store leftover baps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
  • Leftovers can also be frozen for up to six weeks.

Baps Recipe Serving Options

Traditional Scottish Baps (or morning rolls) can be served in many delicious ways, especially in the context of Irish and Scottish meals. Here are some classic and creative serving options:

1. Classic Breakfast Sandwich

• With bacon (rashers) and fried egg: A hearty breakfast option, perfect with a drizzle of brown sauce or ketchup.
• With sausage: Irish or Scottish sausage (bangers) make for a filling and savory breakfast sandwich.

2. As a Side for Stews or Soups

• These soft rolls can be served as a side to traditional Irish dishes like Irish stew, coddle, or a hearty vegetable soup. The soft, fluffy rolls are perfect for dipping!

3. With Butter and Jam

• These are wonderful with a little Sweet and Boozy Peach and Whiskey Jam, strawberry jam, raspberry jam, blackberry jam, or even orange marmalade.
• For a simple yet delicious treat, spread butter or Compound Butters.

4. For Sandwiches

• Cheese and Ham: Serve them stuffed with a slice of cheese (like cheddar) and ham for a quick lunch or snack.
• Chicken Salad: Use the bap as a bun for a chicken salad or even a veggie sandwich for a lighter option.

5. With Grilled Vegetables

• For a vegetarian option, fill your baps with grilled vegetables, like peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini, topped with a spread of hummus or cream cheese.

6. With Smoked Salmon

• Try filling them with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a squeeze of lemon for a luxurious twist.

7. As a Base for Sliders

• For smaller portions, cut the baps in half and use them as slider buns for mini sandwiches, such as pulled pork, beef burgers, or veggie patties.

FAQs

What’s the difference between baps and regular dinner rolls?

• Baps are known for their humble ingredients, fluffy texture, and straightforward flavor. Baps are bigger and suitable for a sandwich.
• Dinner rolls are often richer because they contain butter and eggs. These smaller rolls are commonly seen as a complement to a meal, such as our 1-Hour Dinner Rolls, Insanely Fluffy Potato Dinner Rolls, and Pumpkin Dinner Rolls. 

How do I make sure my baps aren’t dense?

• Measure your flour carefully.
• Knead the dough for the full 10 minutes (15 minutes if you’re kneading by hand). This gives the dough a lighter, more elastic texture.
• Make sure your baps rise for the directed time during both the first and second rise. Rolls can be dense if they don’t proof for a long enough time.

How do I keep my baps from being too dry?

• Be sure to use whole milk in this recipe. Full-fat milk adds moisture
• Bake just until the baps are golden-brown. Another sign that they’re done is the rolls will sound hollow when tapped.

More Roll Recipes

• How to Make Waterford Blaas (Authentic Irish Rolls)
• Insanely-Fluffy Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls
• Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
• Soft and Fluffy Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
• 1-Hour Dinner Rolls

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