Classic, old fashioned cloverleaf rolls are definitely one of my favorite types of dinner rolls to bring to the table.
They're light and fluffy, buttery, and slightly sweet plus you can pull them apart so that there are more inside edges to hold all of that melting butter. Perfect with a bowl of potato soup on a chilly day!
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If you don't have much experience with yeast baking these are a great place to start - you might also want to read through my guide to homemade bread baking for the answers to any questions you might have.
No time? Try these 30 minute yeast rolls!
Remember?
When I was growing up we always had the kind of cloverleaf rolls that you buy at the store and brown in your oven -- and only on holidays. I was always happy to stack a couple on my plate when they were passed.
To steal a phrase from one of my sons - I thought they were the bombdiggity with two scoops of koo koo kachoo. Well I did right up until the fateful day I found out you can make them from scratch!
OMG -- they were so much better that I was totally hooked.
These are an easy roll to make and most people really like them because the shape is so...home. There is just something about light, buttery rolls that makes you think of chilly days, pot roast, and apple pie -- or is that just me?
I've made them with all kinds of variations. I've used whole wheat flour, half whole wheat flour, honey... you name it. All of the variations are delicious but I keep coming back to the basic, old fashioned cloverleaf roll. I don't know -- there's just something about them that's perfect.
When you pull it open the fragrance of sweet, yeast bread surrounds you. The crumb is small and delicate and one look tells you just how good that first bite is going to be. I usually have to "test" one before they get to the table -- after all what if they were terrible?
But they never are.
Copycat brown and serve rolls
You can even make your own brown and serve type rolls with this recipe. Just follow these easy steps -
- Bake them about 8 minutes, or until they are done but haven't started to brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Put them on a cookie sheet and freeze until they are frozen solid.
- Store them in the freezer in airtight containers until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve just put the frozen rolls on a cookie sheet and bake them at 375F until golden - about 5 minutes.
Wear pearls and high heels to dinner. You'll feel just like Mrs. Cleaver.
Instructions
You'll shape the rolls after the first rising and the technique couldn't be easier. Here's what I do -
- Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces. For exact results weigh each piece of dough and make sure it weighs close to the same.
- Divide each piece in 3 equal pieces.
- Roll into balls.
- Butter 24 muffin cups.
- Dip each piece of dough in melted butter and place three balls in each muffin cup.
- When they rise they form the clover. If you want you can even use two kinds of dough like white and dark whole wheat -- it looks pretty cool.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Bake.
- Brush with melted butter.
See? Easy as pie.
FAQs
Cloverleaf rolls go in the oven for 12 minutes or so.
It's not hard to make light, fluffy rolls ... when you know how -
Use whole milk for the liquid.
Make sure the dough is kneaded well and rises properly before baking.
Follow the recipe carefully.
Don't overbake.
Brush the tops with melted butter and cover them with a clean tea towel when they come out of the oven to keep them soft.
Variations
These basic dinner rolls have numerous variations. Here are some of my favorites -
- Substitute whole wheat flour for half the white flour called for. Remove 1 tablespoon of flour from each cup and replace it with 1 tablespoon of gluten to keep the rolls soft.
- Dip the dough balls in melted butter mixed with garlic, Italian herbs mix, or even chili powder before putting them in the muffin tins.
- Use a light vegetable oil or melted coconut oil in place of the butter to make them vegan.
- When making the dough balls push your finger into each one to make a hole. Insert a mini-marshmallow that has been rolled in cinnamon sugar. Form the dough ball around the marshmallow to enclose it completely. Bake as directed.
Related recipes
I love to make all kinds of breads and rolls so I have a pretty large number of recipes here on Restless Chipotle. Here are some of my favorites -
- English muffin bread
- Whole wheat rolls
- Buttermilk honey bread (this makes great rolls, too)
- Cinnamon rolls
- White Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
- Vienna Rolls
📞 The last word
Don't wait for a holiday to make these. They are just as good with chicken and rice as with turkey!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Cloverleaf Rolls
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Ingredients
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Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
- Set aside in a warm place for 5 minutes and allow to foam up. This is called "proofing".
- Beat milk, ½ cup sugar, and egg in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Stir in ½ cup of flour.
- Add the yeast mixture.
- Add ¼ cup of the butter and the salt and mix well.
- Add 1 ½ cups of flour and beat until smooth.
- Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth about 6-8 minutes or knead in your stand with the dough hook mixer according to manufacturer's instructions - usually about 2-3 minutes.
- Put the dough in a greased bowl. Grease the top and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel or tea towel.
- Allow to rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until doubled.
- Punch dough down.
- Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- Roll into 72 equal sized small balls for 24 rolls.
- Dip the balls in the remaining melted butter and place three in each greased muffin cup.
- Cover and let rolls rise in a draft-free place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Bake rolls at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Brush the top of the rolls with melted butter.
- Serve with butter or honey butter.
Notes
- Substitute whole wheat flour for half the white flour called for. Remove 1 tablespoon of flour from each cup and replace it with 1 tablespoon of gluten to keep the rolls soft.
- Dip the dough balls in melted butter mixed with garlic, Italian herbs mix, or even chili powder before putting them in the muffin tins.
- Use a light vegetable oil or melted coconut oil in place of the butter to make them vegan.
- You can brush the rolls with a little egg yolk mixed with a teaspoon of water and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like.
- When making the dough balls push your finger into each one to make a hole. Insert a mini-marshmallow that has been rolled in cinnamon sugar. Form the dough ball around the marshmallow to enclose it completely. Bake as directed.
- Remember, homemade rolls do not last as long as commercial ones. Eat within a day or two or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.This post is updated from the August 2008 version. Last update August 10, 2022 for editorial content.
Gale pace
Do you use all purpose flour or self rising in these clover leaf rolls??
Marye
All purpose. 🙂
Lupe Hamilton
I just made a double batch yesterday and I will be making these again. Loved the recripe
Marye
I'm so glad you like them!
Suzanne
These were so buttery and deliciousness! Thank you for sharing. I will make these again. But I have to bring them out when dinner is ready or over half of them will be gone beforehand!
Rachel
This is my go-to recipe and they have turned out great every time. I must admit I skip the dipping the dough balls in butter part, but they are still good even without that! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
Deirdre
We didn't like them. Either I didn't make them right or the recipe wasn't what I was looking for. They were very coarse textured. It was as if I used corn meal in them, but I didn't.
Marye
They are very soft, light, buttery and fluffy so I'm not sure what happened.
Kate
Do these rolls lend themselves to make ahead status by fast freezing after baking. Thawing when needed. Thank you.
Marye
Yes! They're perfect for that.
Audrey Cherbak
What is the result of adding extra sugar?
Marye
It gets sweeter.
Angela
Can I make dough balls ahead of time and freeze them in the muffin tins? Thank you!
Marye
Yes but use about 1/4 teaspoon extra yeast and let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
Sandra
I plan to make these rolls. Could I rush rise them in a warm turned off oven? I’ve heard that you can pre-heat oven to 100 degrees then turn off and place the bowl of dough , covered up with towel, and let the dough rise quicker. Can I roll this dough out and make Parker house rolls?
Marye
Yes and yes! Just make sure the temp doesn't go over 110F.
Sandra
I am wanting to makes these delicious sounding rolls, however, I need to know if I can use a non-dairy substitute in place of the whole milk. They sound fantastic. Thanks for your help.
Marye
Yes. They won't be quite as rich but it will still work. 🙂
Marsha
Could you use a bread machine and make a loaf of bread.
Marye
Marsha - just use one of the bread recipes here on Restless Chipotle for that.
Michelle
what size is a package of yeast?
Marye
Just one of the 1/4-ounce (2-1/4 teaspoons) sizes
Pam E
These were the best clover leaf rolls I have ever made! Thank you for such a great recipe and wonderful direction.
Samiam
Have you tried these with bread flour vs all-purpose?
Marye
No I haven't.