German Style Weck Rolls Food

KIMMELWECK ROLLS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water in a small bowl; set aside to proof about 5 minutes.
• Combine the remaining 3/4 cup lukewarm water, the oil, sugar, salt, barley malt syrup or honey, and 1 egg white in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and mix until smooth; add yeast mixture and add in additional 1 1/2 cups flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to the touch, adding only as much additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.
• Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled (about an hour).
• Punch the dough down, cover the bowl again, and let the dough rise a second time, for about 30 minutes.
• Return the dough to the work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
• Shape each piece into a smooth round, then flatten the rounds slightly.
• Place on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, well spaced to allow spreading.
• Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F
• Combine the remaining egg white and the 1 tablespoons water in a small dish and blend.
• Brush the rolls lightly with the egg white wash.
• Score 4 crescent-shaped slits into each roll with a very sharp knife, radiating out from the center.
• Sprinkle the rolls with the coarse salt and caraway seeds and sprinkle with water.
• Bake for 5 minutes.
• Quickly open the oven door, sprinkle the rolls again with water, and close the oven.
• Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes more, until browned and crisp.
• Cool the rolls on wire racks.
• **For a Vienna Loaf:
• Follow the recipe directions for rolls with the following exceptions: After the second rise, divide the dough in half and shape each half into an oval with tapered ends.
• After the final rise, apply the egg wash and cut a 1/2" deep slit down the top of each loaf; omit the salt and caraway sprinkle, if desired.
• Bake in 400°F oven, baking for about 30 minutes more after the second spray with water (for a total of 35 minutes).
• **For Salt and Pepper Sticks: Follow the recipe directions with the following exceptions: Omit the second rise.
• Divide the dough into 13 equal pieces, roll each piece out into a 12" rope of even thickness, and space the ropes 1-1/2" apart on the prepared baking sheet.
• After the final rise, apply the egg wash, but do not make any cuts into the do dough; sprinkle with coarse sea salt crystals and coarsely ground or cracked black pepper instead of with salt crystals and caraway seeds.
• Do not spritz with water.
• Bake for about 18 minutes.

GERMAN-STYLE WECK ROLLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the shortening, salt and 3 cups flour; beat well for 2 minutes. Fold in egg whites. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Punch down, cover and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly oiled surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and form into rounds. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece into a 7 inch circle. Fold left side to center to form a flap. Halfway down flap fold again to center to form another flap. Repeat all the way around to make overlapping flaps. Lift the first flap to ease the last flap underneath. Press center to seal the dough. Place rolls seam side down and 3 inches apart onto a well greased baking sheets. This helps the rolls to keep their shape. Let rise 30 minutes, turn right side up, let rise 15 more minutes. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and place a shallow pan on the bottom shelf of the oven.
• In a small bowl, beat together the milk with the remaining egg white. Lightly brush the rolls with this egg wash. Place 1 cup of ice cubes in the heated pan in oven.
• Bake rolls immediately in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Move to wire racks to cool.

GERMAN-STYLE WECK ROLLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the shortening, salt and 3 cups flour; beat well for 2 minutes. Fold in egg whites. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Punch down, cover and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly oiled surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and form into rounds. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece into a 7 inch circle. Fold left side to center to form a flap. Halfway down flap fold again to center to form another flap. Repeat all the way around to make overlapping flaps. Lift the first flap to ease the last flap underneath. Press center to seal the dough. Place rolls seam side down and 3 inches apart onto a well greased baking sheets. This helps the rolls to keep their shape. Let rise 30 minutes, turn right side up, let rise 15 more minutes. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and place a shallow pan on the bottom shelf of the oven.
• In a small bowl, beat together the milk with the remaining egg white. Lightly brush the rolls with this egg wash. Place 1 cup of ice cubes in the heated pan in oven.
• Bake rolls immediately in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Move to wire racks to cool.