Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls

Name: Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 24 Rolls
Ingredients: 320 ml Milk; 1 Egg (large); 2 1/4 tsp Instant dry yeast (1 sachet); 1 tbsp Sugar; 1 tbsp Salt; 60 grams Melted butter; 500 grams All-purpose flour; 70 grams All-purpose flour (for kneading); 1 Egg yolk; 2 water

August 13, 2012 *Updated* July 29, 2019 By Veena Azmanov 36 Comments

Recipe Video Print

Old-Fashion Cloverleaf Rolls

Classic old-fashion cloverleaf rolls are an absolute treat and very versatile. These simple cloverleaf shaped dinner rolls pair well with any food, sweet or savory and are perfect for any meal from breakfast to dinner. Serve it for breakfast with butter and jam or for dinner alongside your favorite roast or gravy.

Homemade Bread, white bread recipe, cloverleaf shaped rolls - with progress pictures — Homemade Bread, Cloverleaf Shaped, Enriched White Bread, Old-fashion cloverleaf rolls

One of my fond memories as a little girl is sitting on the kitchen top corner and helping mom with her work. She’d give me a small piece of dough and I’d happily leave her alone to do her work while I would knead the hell out of that little piece of dough.

Now I often have the same scene in my kitchen with my kids. It’s usually Rhea more than Aadi. She loves to help me when I’m working. And like me, she’s especially attracted to bread dough. She loves the soft silky smoothness of the bread dough when it’s all ready to be baked.

My mom would say – you know a good bread when it just comes out of the oven. The true test is when you see someone take a small bite and then immediately wants to take another. That happens, when you have the right balance – the perfect texture on the outside and softness on the inside.

What is cloverleaf rolls? (clover leaf rolls)

These cloverleaf rolls are an American bread like a ball made of three sections; more like a pull-apart bun. They are named after the leaf of a clover plant which has three lobes.

Did you know that cloverleaf is actually referred to a particular shape, not the recipe? So technically you could take any of your favorite bread recipes and shape it into a cloverleaf roll. Usually, we prefer to use an enriched dough that’s not so bready (if that is even a word) but tastes more soft buttery and just melts in the mouth.

How do you shape the cloverleaf rolls?

Often people wonder how do you get that cloverleaf shape, but really it’s so easy!! It’s basically three small balls of dough into one muffin case which when baked infuses and becomes one bread with that distinct shape of the cloverleaf. Cool eh?

How to shape the cloverleaf dinner rolls, clover leaf rolls - Progress Pictures — Homemade Bread, Cloverleaf Shaped, Clover leaf rolls, Enriched White Bread – Progress Pictures

Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

All-Purpose flour – You can use bread flour if you prefer. And yet, it’s not necessary and this dough is very forgiving and works just fine with all-purpose flour.
Egg – I love the stability the egg adds to the dough and enriches it.
Milk – I prefer to use milk instead of water. It not just adds taste but also makes a nice soft crumb bread.
Sugar – It’s not much so it won’t sweeten the bread. It helps the yeast. Also, it absorbs some of the liquid, slowing the formation of gluten strand. As a result, it makes the enriched dough just perfect.

Useful Tips and Tools

A small Mixing Bowl or measuring cup to activate the yeast. I prefer to use glass over metal. If the metal is cold it can lower the temperature of the liquid ingredients. Not a big deal. And yet, it’s nice to get the yeast activated quickly and move on with the recipe.
I like mixing bread dough by hand. It’s quite therapeutic. But bread dough can be difficult to handle. Not just because it needs more kneading but also because it’s often a soft, sticky mess. And yet, keeping the dough soft and sticky is important for good bread baking. So, I highly recommend using a stand mixer Kenwood, kitchen-aidor other brands, it does not matter. Personally, I also have a hand mixer. And yet, I don’t use it for baking bread. Because bread dough is dense compared to cakes. So, it might harm my hand mixer. (recommended read – which stand-mixer is good for home bakers)
Baking bread is a science. So measuring ingredients correctly is important. Also, do not wing the measurements. Use a Measuring Cup for liquid ingredients and Measuring Spoons for dry ingredients.
A good baking tray is as important to bread baking as it is to other baking Baking Tray. Therefore, buy a good quality baking tray that’s not too thin. The thick ones will prevent the bread from burning on the bottom. Sometimes you can even add a second tray on the bottom to prevent it from getting burnt.
Every oven works differently. So the baking times are just guidelines. In the case of bread, a hollow sound on the bottom of the bread is a great indication. If the bread bakes too quick or too slow compared to the time given it might be a good idea to check if your oven needs calibration. An oven thermometer is a great little gadget to help keep the oven temperature in check. All you need to do is adjust the temperature accordingly.

Homemade Bread, white bread recipe, clover leaf rolls, Old-fashion clover leaf rolls — Homemade Bread, Cloverleaf Shaped, Enriched White Bread

How to Make Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls (Save/Pin)

Ingredients can be found below in the recipe card with unit conversions

Method

Prepare yeast mixture

Warm the milk (110 F) and melt the butter.
In a measuring cup add the milk, yeast and sugar and melted butter.
Stir well to dissolve the yeast properly then add the egg.
Combine well and set aside for 5 minutes until foamy.

Preparing the yeast mixture for dinner rolls - Clover leaf Progress Pictures

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Prepare the dough

Add four cups of flour in the mixer bowl with a hook attachment.
Move the flour around making a hollow in the center.
Pour in the yeast mixture. Combine the mix well.
The dough will be soft and sticky do not add more flour.
Continue to knead for about 3 to 5 minutes adding only as much flour as needed to make a smooth and shiny dough.
Bring the dough together into a ball.

Preparing the white bread dough for clover leaf - Progress Pictures

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Knead the dough for 30 seconds before proofing - Cloverleaf dinner rolls Progress Pictures

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Prove the dough

Place in an oiled bowl. Brush some oil on the dough to prevent drying.
Cover with cling/plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place for about an hour or until double in volume.

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Let the bread dough poof for an hour before shaping - progress pictures

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Testing the dough for dinner rolls cloverleaf shape - progress pictures

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The proofed dough for cloverleaf rolls - progress pictures

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Form the balls

Punch down and knead for a few seconds.
Divide the dough in half, each half in four.
Make smaller portions – until you are able to make about 2 cm balls.
Roll the balls.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface - cloverleaf dough progress pictures

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How to shape the cloverleaf dinner rolls Progress Pictures

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Divide the dough into four then each four into eight - cloverleaf progress pictures

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Lightly spray two muffin tins with oil.
Place three balls into each of the cups.
Cover with a damp kitchen cloth and let rest for about 40 mins until almost double in size.

Spray a muffin tin with oil for easy removal - cloverleaf rolls progress pictures

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Bake

After 40 mins when double in size.
Preheat oven to 190 C/380 F.
Brush with egg wash and bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 mins.
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes take them off the muffin tins and cool on a wire rack to avoid steam from making them damp.

Frequently asked question

How long with this cloverleaf rolls last?

If stored properly these cloverleaf dinner rolls will stay for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. It can be frozen for a month or more too. Never store bread in the fridge as it dries out.

What is the best way to store these cloverleaf dinner rolls for a longer time?

I place dinner rolls in a plastic storage bag, then wrap them in clean kitchen cloth at room temperature. This prevents them from drying out and increases their shelf life. If you want to store them longer place them in a freezer bag and into the freezer.

Can I make the cloverleaf dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prove the dough in the fridge for a longer time instead of room temperature. It will take longer to rise but will still rise. Make sure to bring the dough to room temperature. Form the rolls and prove them again before baking.

Can I refrigerate these cloverleaf rolls before baking?

yes, you can also do the first rise at room temperature, form the cloverleaf shaped rolls and let them rise in the fridge before baking. Cover the shaped rolls tightly with cling wrap leaving enough space for them to rise. You can leave them overnight in the fridge but make sure to thaw them at room temperature before baking.

How can I make the dough rise faster? Shorter rising time?

Ideally, it is best to let the dough rise in a warm place in the kitchen but there are always those days when you’re short on time.
The best way to make the dough rise faster is to let the dough or bread rolls prove in a warm oven. I heat the oven at 30C for 5 minutes and then turn it off. The warmth in there is all it needs to rise quickly.
If your oven does not have a low temperature just switch the oven light on and that works just as well.

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Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Resting Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs

Calories: 108kcal

$10

Adjust Servings Here: 24 Rolls

Description

Equipment /Tools

Ingredients

For the bread

320 ml Milk
1 Egg large
2 1/4 tsp Instant dry yeast 1 sachet
1 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Salt
60 grams Melted butter
500 grams All-purpose flour
70 grams All-purpose flour for kneading

Glaze

1 Egg yolk
2 water

Metric – US customary

ADJUST SERVINGS HERE – 24 Rolls

Conversions – Switch between Metric & US for other measurement options