KAISER ROLLS

I really felt like baking some buns today. I've been thinking of the Kaiser rolls for a while, so I thought today would be a good day to make some. They are pretty easy and fun to make and great addition to the meals, eat them while still warm with a tub of butter...the best!  

Normally the Kaiser rolls are made with a Kaiser stamp but I don't have one so I tried the knot method which worked just fine for me.  I was actually having more fun making them by hand. It is very simple and easy but just in case someone is not sure how to do it, I inserted bellow a short video clip I made.  

The ingredients are simple, bread ingredients,  things that you probably have in your pantry. One word of caution on the flour. Because not all flours are the same, (some may have a higher gluten content then others), I always leave out some of the flour (aprox. 1/2 cup) from start, until I see that it can use more, then I add the rest of the flour.  You can always add more but you can't take it away. The dough should be smooth and soft while still holding it's shape. 

I used my stand-up mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough but  if you don't have one, no worries, you can do it just fine by hand. 

Kaiser Rolls Recipe

INGREDIENTS 

2 cups warm water

2-1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

2 tsp sea salt

2 tbsp. milk, for brushing top of rolls

Poppy seeds and sesame seeds, for topping

 

DIRECTIONS

Place warm water into a mixing bowl; add the yeast and sugar and stir to dissolve ( I use a small whisk)

 then  set aside for 5 minutes,  until it gets foamy. This will ensure that your yeast is fresh and working.

Add the whole wheat flour and  2 cups of the all-purpose flour and  using the hook dough attachment, 

mix together to blend. (If you don't have a mixer, don't worry. Use a whisk and then use your hands to 

mix in the rest of the flour and knead into a dough. The whole process might take 8-10 minutes by hand but it will work just as well if not even better). 

Add the melted butter and the salt,  then slowly add in the remaining flour until it forms into a smooth 

and elastic dough, (knead with the machine for about 4-5 minutes).  Dough it will be still soft and a

touch sticky, so remove the dough to a floured board and knead it 3-4  few times, turning it around, then

place it back into the bowl, cover it with a plastic wrap and let it rise for 45 minutes or until doubles in

size.

Punch dough down and divide it into 10 pieces and form each into a ball. Roll out each ball into a rope 

about 16 inches long then tie a knot into the center, leaving 2 ends, then bring one end through the 

center and folding it down under and the other end, up and through into the center.

Here is a short video that shows how to make them. 

Place the rolls on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rise for at least 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400ºF . Meanwhile brush each roll with the milk and sprinkle with your choice of 

sesame seeds or poppy seeds.

Bake for 20– 25 minutes or until top browned and tapped on the bottom the rolls sound hollow.

 

NOTE:

If you are plan on getting and  using a Kaiser Roll Stamp:

Flatten the roll slightly and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Press a Kaiser roll stamp into each ball of dough.

                                               

Happy Baking!

Leia