Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls are classic "pull apart" yeast rolls shaped like leaves of a clover plant. This delicious recipe makes 2 dozen rolls.
Place yeast, sugar, and warm milk (110°F) in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to combine. IMPORTANT: If milk is too hot, it can "kill" the yeast. Stir until combined; let rest 4-5 minutes until bubbles form (indicating yeast is alive).
Add soft butter, egg, and salt to yeast mixture. Mix well, until fully incorporated.
Add 3 cups flour; continue beating until "dough" is smooth in texture. Slowly beat in 1 more cup of flour. You want to form a "soft dough". Add remaining ½ cup of flour, if necessary.
Generously sprinkle additional flour on a work surface. Place "ball of soft dough" on the flour. Lightly sprinkle more flour on top, then knead the dough for 6-8 minutes, using the palm of your hand. Rotate dough often; sprinkle with more flour (if necessary), to prevent sticking. Shape dough into a ball. TIP: If you have a stand mixer, attach dough hook to knead dough by machine, if desired.
Grease a large bowl with non-stick baking spray. Add dough; turn it over to grease the top of the dough. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then a dish towel. Set bowl in a warm place; let dough rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
Once doubled in size, use your fist to punch down the dough. Divide dough in HALF, then divide each half into 36 equal-sized pieces (72 total). TIP: If you have a food scale, it helps to weigh the pieces. **SEE NOTE SECTION BELOW!
Roll each piece between palms to form a 1" ball. Set dough balls on parchment paper. Grease muffin cups; place 3 balls in each muffin cup.
Cover muffin pan; let dough rise again until doubled (approx. 30 minutes). After rising, brush tops of rolls generously with melted butter.
Bake at 375°F. for 15-18 minutes. When done, rolls should be golden brown in color and cooked through. Let rolls rest for 1 minute, then transfer them out of the pan to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm, and enjoy!
IMPORTANT: You need 2 standard muffin pans for this recipe. If you only have 1, keep the second half of the dough wrapped tightly while you shape and bake the first batch.
Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls https://www.thegratefulgirlcooks.com/cloverleaf-dinner-rolls/