1. 1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the active sourdough starter, warm milk, granulated sugar, melted butter, and egg until well combined. The mixture should look slightly milky and uniform.

2. 2. Add Dry Ingredients (First Batch): Stir in the salt and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. It will be quite sticky at this stage.

3. 3. Incorporate Remaining Flour and Baking Soda: Gradually add the remaining 1 to 1 1/2 cups of flour, a little at a time, until the dough comes together and is no longer overly sticky. You might not need all the flour. Once the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, sprinkle in the baking soda and knead it in for about 1-2 minutes. The baking soda helps give these same-day rolls an extra lift.

4. 4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. It should spring back slowly when you gently poke it.

5. 5. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation): Lightly grease the mixing bowl with a little oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

6. 6. Shape the Rolls: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll.

7. 7. Second Rise (Proofing): Cover the baking dish loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until they look puffy and have nearly doubled in size. Towards the end of this rise, preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C).

8. 8. Bake the Rolls: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown on top and cooked through. If desired, brush the tops of the hot rolls with 2 tablespoons of melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven for extra shine and flavor. Serve warm.