Ah, the magical aroma of freshly baked bread—there’s nothing quite like it. These soft and fluffy cloverleaf dinner rolls are like little clouds of comfort, perfect for soaking up gravy or just enjoying on their own. My family insists they have some at every holiday table, and honestly, who could blame them?
Steps
-
%54841%
- Mix the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar into the warmed milk and let it sit until it becomes foamy, which should take around 5 minutes. In the meantime, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
- In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the remaining sugar, flour, and salt. With the mixer on low, add the yeast mixture and egg, then knead until the ingredients are well combined and the dough turns smooth, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate the melted butter into the dough while continuing to knead. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is shiny and elastic, for another 5 to 10 minutes. If the dough is sticky, scrape the bowl’s sides and form the dough into a ball.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Butter a 12-cup muffin tin in preparation for baking.
- Gently turn the dough onto a work surface and divide it into 12 equal portions. For each portion, further divide into 3 pieces, roll each into a ball, and place them into one muffin cup. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Cover the tray lightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until doubled again, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The rolls should look puffy and slowly spring back when gently pressed.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then carefully brush it over the rolls without deflating them. Bake the rolls until they are puffed and golden, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once you take them out of the oven, brush the rolls with more melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve them warm for the best taste.
Ingredients
- 1 package (¼-ounce or 2¼ teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) whole milk, warmed to 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing the pan
- 2 cups (255 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 large egg
Nutritional Values
Total Nutritional Values for Entire Recipe:
1800 calories | 84 grams fat | 48 grams saturated fat | 0 grams trans fat | 24 grams monounsaturated fat | 0 grams polyunsaturated fat | 228 grams carbohydrates | 12 grams dietary fiber | 36 grams sugars | 36 grams protein | 1272 milligrams sodium
FAQ
- Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Once you’ve shaped the dough into balls and placed them in the muffin tins, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate them overnight. Before baking, allow them to proof for about 30 minutes.
- What can I use as a substitute for butter in this recipe?
- You can substitute butter with a vegan alternative like Miyoko’s vegan butter, which works well and produces delicious rolls.
- How can I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands during shaping?
- To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, you can apply a little canola oil to your hands, which will make shaping the dough into balls easier.
- Can these rolls be frozen and reheated?
- Yes, these cloverleaf rolls freeze and reheat beautifully, making them a great make-ahead option for future meals.
- Is it possible to double the recipe?
- Absolutely, the recipe can easily be doubled if you need to make a larger batch of rolls.
Tips
- Use Oil for Easy Shaping: To prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers during shaping, lightly coat your hands with a bit of canola oil.
- Overnight Proofing Option: For convenience, you can prepare the rolls up to the shaping stage, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Allow them to proof for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Vegan Alternative: If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with a vegan alternative, such as Miyoko’s brand, which works well and maintains the delicious flavor.
- Make-Ahead and Freeze: These rolls freeze and reheat beautifully, making them a great make-ahead option for busy meal preparations.
Equipment
- Stand mixer with a dough hook attachment
- 12-cup muffin tin
