The Softest Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls are fluffy, lightly sweet, and irresistibly soft. With a simple mix and a two-rise method, they bake up into tender triple-bulb rolls perfect for family dinners or holiday tables.

Ingredients

• 325 g flour (2 1/2 cups loosely packed)
• 190 ml slightly warm milk (not hot) (3/4 cup + 2 tsp)
• 50 g butter (3 1/2 tbsp)
• 3 g yeast (instant or active dried yeast) (1 tsp)
• 6 g salt (1 tsp)
• 30 g sugar (2 1/2 tbsp)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine all dough ingredients in a stand mixer and mix until the dough comes away from the bowl sides, about 6–7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Knead briefly on a lightly floured surface to form a smooth, slightly sticky ball.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a greased container, cover with plastic wrap, and let warm-placed rise for 60–90 minutes until doubled.
4. Step 4: Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
5. Step 5: Punch down the dough to release air, then divide into 12 equal pieces. Weigh each piece to about 17 grams (0.6 oz) for accuracy.
6. Step 6: Split each portion into three equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball.
7. Step 7: Place three seam-side-down dough balls in each muffin cup. Loosely cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise again in a warm place for 60 minutes.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake the cloverleaf rolls for 22 minutes until golden brown.
9. Step 9: Brush melted butter on the rolls while hot, then transfer to a wire rack and cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For extra soft rolls, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot and avoid overworking after the first rise.
• If you don’t have a muffin pan, bake the dough as a single loaf and slice once cooled.
• Try brushing with honey butter added after baking for a touch sweeter finish.

Storage

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or briefly in the microwave in 10–15 second bursts.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes. Freeze the shaped triple-piece portions before the second rise. Thaw, then let them rise in a warm place until puffy before baking as directed.

Why are the rolls sometimes not perfectly even?

Uneven sizes can come from slight variations in piece weight. Weighing each piece to about 17 grams helps create uniform rolls for even baking.

The Softest Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls are famously soft, fluffy, and visually charming. The dough is enriched with milk and butter, then formed into three little balls per cup to create the signature cloverleaf look. Lightly sweet, nicely browned, and perfect for warm, pull-apart servings.

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Ingredients

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Dough Ingredients

• 325 g all-purpose flour (about 2 1/2 cups loosely packed)
• 190 ml warm milk, 105–110°F (not hot) (about 3/4 cup + 2 tsp)
• 50 g unsalted butter, melted (about 3 1/2 tbsp)
• 3 g instant/active dry yeast (about 1 tsp)
• 6 g fine salt (about 1 tsp)
• 30 g sugar (about 2 1/2 tbsp)

Finish and Butter

• Additional melted butter, for brushing (to taste)

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Instructions

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Prepare the dough Combine all dough ingredients in a stand mixer and mix on medium speed until the dough pulls away from the bowl sides, about 6–7 minutes.

Knead briefly Knead the dough briefly on a lightly floured surface to produce a smooth, slightly sticky ball.

First rise Place the dough in a greased container, cover with plastic wrap, and let in a warm place for 60–90 minutes until doubled in size.

Prepare muffin pan Use 1 tablespoon of melted butter to coat a 12-cup muffin pan.

Punch and divide Punch down the dough to release gas. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Weigh each piece to about 17 g (0.6 oz) for accuracy.

Form the clover leaves Split each portion into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.

Assemble in pan Place three seam-side-down dough balls in each muffin cup. Loosely cover the pan with oiled plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for about 60 minutes.

Bake Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls uncovered for about 22 minutes or until golden brown.

Finish and cool Brush melted butter on the rolls immediately after baking. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for about 5 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Ensure milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.
• For a lighter texture, you can increase the dough hydration by 1–2 tablespoons of milk, but keep an eye on dough consistency.
• If you don’t have a muffin pan, you can place dough balls on a parchment-lined sheet for a flat-roll variant and bake a bit longer.
• Brush with butter while still warm to enhance softness and shine.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Bakery/Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American