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Grandma's Classic Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls

Breakfast 🍳Side Dish 🥗Snack 🍿 American Low-SodiumVegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Grandma's Classic Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls are pillowy-soft with a lightly sweet, buttery crumb and a golden, tender crust. Their signature pull-apart clover shape makes them fun to serve and perfect for soaking up gravy or soup. Ideal for holiday spreads or cozy Sunday dinners, these nostalgic rolls bring warm, homemade comfort to the table.

  • Prep25 mins
  • Cook15 mins
  • Serves12
  • DifficultyMedium
Grandma's Classic Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls
  1. 1

    Grease a 12-cup muffin tin and a large bowl, then set them aside.

  2. 2

    Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat just until bubbles start to appear. Stir in the sugar, shortening, and salt; let it cool until it reaches 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).

  3. 3

    Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and let it stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Beat the egg in a large bowl, then stir in the yeast mixture and milk mixture until combined. Stir in 1/2 of the flour until smooth with no lumps, then gradually stir in the remaining flour until a smooth dough forms. Place the dough in the prepared bowl, turning once to coat the top with grease. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

  5. 5

    Punch down the dough and move it to a well-floured work surface. Divide the dough into 36 equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Place 3 balls in each prepared muffin cup. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until the dough balls double in size, about 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  7. 7

    Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.