Name: The Softest Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
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); Additional melted butter, for brushing (to taste)

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

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