Breads: Emeril Lagasse's Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls

By JoFClark

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons butter
• 3 T nonfat dry milk
• 3/4 cup plus 1/2 t sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1 1/4 oz package active dry yeast
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Details

Preparation time 35mins
Cooking time 240mins

Preparation

Step 1

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, 1/4 cup of the butter, dry milk, 3/4 cup of the sugar and the salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the heat and set aside to cool to lukewarm before proceeding.

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and remaining 1/2 t sugar in 1/4 cup of warm water. Add the eggs and stir to combine. Using a wooden spoon, add the flour 1 cup at a time. The dough will be quite stiff and somewhat sticky. If the dough gets too stiff to stir with a spoon, use your hands to mix.

Lightly grease the inside of a large bowl with 1 t of the remaining butter. Transfer the dough to the bowl and turn to coat. Lightly grease a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap with the remaining teaspoon of butter and use it to cover the bowl. Set aside until doubled in size, at least 2 hours. Melt remaining 1/4 cup of butter and transfer to a small bowl to cool. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 2-3 minutes.

Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 36 equal pieces. Tuck the cut edges of each piece under so as to form a smooth round ball of dough. Place 3 balls of dough side by side into each well of a muffin tin. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of each roll with some of the melted butter. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake the dinner rolls in the center of the oven until golden brown and puffed, about 18-20 minutes.