Buttery Cloverleaf Rolls Food

CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Steps:

• Stir the yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar into the milk. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, combine the remaining sugar, flour and salt. With the mixer on low, add the yeast mixture and the egg and knead until the dry ingredients have been incorporated (you may have to help it along at first with a spatula) and the dough is smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully add the melted butter (the dough will slosh around in the butter for a few minutes, but will eventually absorb it all) and continue to knead the dough until smooth, increasing the speed to medium, another 5 to 10 minutes. The dough will be shiny and elastic; if it's at all sticky, scrape down the sides of the bowl and gather the dough into a neat ball (no need to add extra flour). Cover the bowl with plastic and set aside to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 2 hours.
• Butter a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Gently tip the dough out onto a work surface. You shouldn't need flour at this point. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Work with one piece at a time and keep the other pieces covered. Divide each piece into 3 equal pieces, roll each piece into a tight ball and place into one cup. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cover the tray lightly with plastic wrap and set aside to double again, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The dough should look puffy and spring back slowly when pressed gently.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Remove the plastic wrap and without deflating the dough, gently brush the rolls with butter. Bake until puffed and golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with more butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve warm.

OLD FASHIONED CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Steps:

• 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, 1/2 cup sugar, and egg in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Stir in 1/2 cup of flour.
• Add the yeast mixture.
• Add 1/4 cup of the butter and the salt and mix well.
• Add 1 1/2 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.

GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Steps:

• Put the butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the milk until warm; pour it over the butter mixture and let cool. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water; set aside to proof until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the yeast mixture into the butter mixture. Beat in the egg, then beat in the flour until you have a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate.
• Two hours before baking, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Divide each half into 6 equal portions, then divide each portion into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, dip into the melted butter, and place in a muffin tine, 3 balls to a muffin cup. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the rolls for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the butter, egg, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down and divide in half. Divide each half into 36 pieces and shape into balls. Place 3 balls in each greased muffin cup. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Brush with additional butter. , Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.