Brotchen ~ Cherished German Rolls

Brotchen 

Cherished German Rolls

Start your day the German way — with freshly baked crusty bread rolls. Brötchen are the ultimate treat: crispy and crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside — just like the ones from a traditional German bakery.  They’re a true German staple, often hard to find abroad — but now, you can make them yourself!
Ingredients:
2 teaspoon instant yeast
2 teaspoon honey
350 ml water. (1 1/4 cups)
500 g all-purpose flour 
1 ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
2 tablespoon poppy seeds
2 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Directions:
Prepare the bread/roll dough: Add the honey to lukewarm water and stir until fully dissolved. Then add the yeast and let it sit for about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a thick, sticky dough forms. Place the dough in a lightly oiled container, and leave it to rest in the fridge 8-12 hours.

Shape the Breadrolls The next morning, preheat your oven. For best results, use a pizza stone, but a standard baking sheet will work too. Carefully turn the container upside down and let the dough gently slide out. Use a knife or dough scraper to divide the dough into 6–8 equal portions. Shape each roll by folding the corners into the center to form a round shape. Optional: If you'd like to add seeds (e.g., sesame, poppy, or sunflower), pour some onto a plate. Brush the top of each roll lightly with water using a pastry brush, then dip the damp surface into the seeds.

Bake the rolls until crusty: Place the rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza stone. Before baking, place an oven-safe bowl filled with water on the bottom rack of your oven. The steam will help create a beautiful, crusty exterior on the rolls. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.