How to Make Crusty German Bread Rolls

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil offers healthier fats while margarine is often less expensive.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water keeps costs down.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber, while all-purpose is more economical.

yeast

🥗Healthier: sourdough starter

💰Cheaper: instant yeast

Sourdough adds flavor, while instant yeast is often cheaper.

Start the night before by adding a little sugar to lukewarm water in a measuring cup and stir.

Add 10 grams of dried instant yeast to the water and sugar mixture, stir, and set aside to activate.

In a separate bowl, mix 500 grams of flour, 10 grams of salt, and 50 grams of warm butter.

Add the activated yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix in a stand mixer on low speed for about 5 to 10 minutes until the dough comes together.

Place the dough on the kitchen counter and knead it gently by folding and pushing to develop gluten structure.

Add about 1 teaspoon of avocado oil to a bowl and grease the inside with your hands.

Place the dough ball face down in the greased bowl, then turn it over to coat both sides with oil.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a plastic bag and tie it, then refrigerate overnight for about 12 hours.

The next morning, check the dough; it should have risen significantly. Press the air out gently.

Weigh the dough; it should be about 800 grams. Divide it into 8 equal portions, aiming for about 100 grams each.

Shape each portion into an oval or round shape and place them on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone mat.

Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for 2 to 3 hours until they expand to almost twice their size.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (about 200°C) with a cast iron skillet at the bottom to heat up.

Once the rolls have risen, score them on top using a lame, cutting fairly deep for a thicker crust.

Place the rolls in the preheated oven and add ice cubes to the skillet at the bottom to create steam.

Set a timer for 10 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet and set another timer for 10 minutes.

After baking, the rolls should be golden brown. Transfer them to a cooling rack.

If not eating immediately, freeze the rolls while still warm in a plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

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Allergens