KAISER ROLLS

Kaiser Rolls image

In Austria, they're called Semmel (or Emperor's Rolls). It's a light and fluffy roll with a crispy crust, and they're a mainstay nearly everywhere throughout Austria.They were created in honor of the Habsburg Emperor of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, which the shape of these rolls is said to resemble the Emperor's crown. To...

Provided by Vickie Parks

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

DOUGH
2 (1/4-oz) pkg active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 large egg white (save the yolk, as it'll be used in a later step)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
a bit of warm milk (as needed for dough consistency)
EGG WASH
1 large egg yolk
2 Tbsp water
1 to 2 Tbsp poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional)

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, add sugar and yeast to the warm water, and stir just until well blended. Let stand 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
2. Sift together the flour and salt. Add the watery yeast mixture, and use a stand mixer to mix until well combined. With the mixer still operating, gradually add the egg, egg white and butter, and mix until incorporated into the dough. Add milk (if needed) to make a soft, workable dough.
3. Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 6 minutes. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover bowl and set aside for 1 hour or until doubled. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead another 2 to 3 minutes, then return dough to bowl to rise again (about 1 hour more).
4. Lightly grease a large cookie/baking sheet; set aside.
5. Shape dough into 12 balls, flatten slightly and place on prepared baking sheet. To get the characteristic "bumps" in the rolls, use a knife to cut a + (one vertical slit and one horizontal slit) on top of each roll, about 1/4-inch deep. (Most Austrians use a kitchen tool shaped like a cookie cutter with curved blades that's pressed over each roll, and a quick twist will set the slits into the dough. But knife works equally well if you don't have that gadget.) Let stand 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a pan of water on bottom rack of oven (it helps to create steam which is what gives the rolls the crunchy or crispy exterior).
7. With a fork, beat together the egg yolk and water, and brush a little of the egg wash on top of each roll. Sprinkle a few poppy seeds or sesame seeds on each roll, if desired.
8. Place baking sheet on middle rack in oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until rolls are lightly browned.