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May 22, 2019

Traditional Kaiser Rolls

These Kaiser Rolls are wonderful for grilled burgers and smoked beef brisket sandwiches. They have a thin crackly crust and a soft, light, flavorful crumb.


Kaiser Rolls

While I have another Kaiser roll recipe on this blog, I've always wanted to conquer the authentic "non-cheater" method of shaping these rolls.

I've also tried using a Kaiser roll stamp, which didn't produce the results I wanted. I've even used a knife to carve the Kaiser roll pattern in the top of these Kimmelweck rolls (the Kaiser roll's western New York cousin, which are topped with caraway seeds).

Traditional Kaiser Rolls


How to Shape a Traditional Kaiser Roll


Traditional Kaiser rolls (or Bulkies) are shaped by pressing the dough into a round and then folding the dough over itself five or six times into the middle. You then let the the rolls rise, folded side down on a seeded towel so that the folds don't open up when rising.

Here is an illustration of the folding method. The recipe talks about leaving your thumb in the dough, but I had to remove mine to take the photos. Rest assured, I add it back for each fold:

How to fold Traditional Kaiser Rolls


  1. Divide the dough into 3 ounce (85 gram) pieces and roll them into balls. Next, flatten the dough balls into 6 inch rounds. Lightly dust the circle with either white rye or rice flour. 
  2. Place your thumb in the center of the circle and fold the 9 o'clock side over your thumb and press it into the center. 
  3. Leaving your thumb in place, fold the 11 o'clock corner into the center and press it down on top of the first fold. 
  4. Fold the 1 o'clock position over and press it into the center. Your thumb should still remain under the first fold. 
  5. Fold the 3 o'clock position into the center and press. 
  6. Fold the 5 o'clock position into the center and press. 
  7. Finally, you will have a the remaining dough looking like a point. This is when you can remove your thumb. 
  8. Fold the point under the first fold, in the space you were keeping open with your thumb, and press. Place the shaped rolls, folded side down on a damp towel that has been dusted with poppy or other seeds. 
The reason you want to place the rolls upside down is to make sure they don't open up during rising. Otherwise, you might end up with this, where you have to kind of press the folds together ..... still delicious but a little awkward ... 

Kaiser rolls that opened too much

Or this from my first attempt..... 

Kaiser rolls that opened way too much


After a couple of tries... success!! Woo hoo! 

Kaiser rolls in a basket

It took me a couple of attempts to master this shaping, and, in the meantime, my experiments were delicious. 

These rolls are great for burgers and sandwiches. While brioche buns are nice, I prefer a leaner dough for burgers and grilled meats.

The dough for these buns is only lightly enriched, with just a little bit of egg, oil, and sugar, as well as a bit of malt. It's a 50 percent hydration dough, easy to shape and still light and fluffy. 

My favorite part is the thin and crispy crust.

Kaiser rolls traditionally shaped

Traditional Kaiser Roll Recipe


Yield: 12 Rolls
Author:

ingredients:

  • 22 ounces (625 grams) 4 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 11 ounces (315 grams) 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil 
  • 1/2 large egg (30 grams)
  • 2 1/4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons malt powder or liquid malt
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt

instructions:

How to cook Traditional Kaiser Roll Recipe

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add all of the ingredients except the salt and mix with the paddle for a minute or two on low speed.
  2. Add the salt and mix for one minute more.
  3. Switch to the dough hook and knead for about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a ball and place it into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  4. Let the dough rest for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until tripled in bulk.
  5. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces (about 3 ounces each) and form into balls. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
  6. Place a steam pan on the bottom rack of the oven and a baking stone on a rack in the upper third of the oven. Heat your oven to 450 degrees F.
  7. Flatten the dough balls into 6 inch rounds. Lightly dust the circle with either white rye or rice flour.
  8. Place your thumb in the center of the circle and fold the 9 o'clock side over your thumb and press it into the center.
  9. Leaving your thumb in place, fold the 11 o'clock corner into the center and press it down on top of the first fold.
  10. Fold the 1 o'clock position over and press it into the center. Your thumb should still remain under the first fold.
  11. Fold the 3 o'clock position into the center and press.
  12. Fold the 5 o'clock position into the center and press.
  13. Finally, you will have a the remaining dough looking like a point. This is when you can remove your thumb.
  14. Fold the point under the first fold, in the space you were keeping open with your thumb, and press. Place the shaped rolls, folded side down on a damp towel that has been dusted with poppy or other seeds.
  15. Let the rolls rise until they are 3/4 proofed. 
  16. Flip the rolls over, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet, fold side up, and let them rise for another 15 minutes. 
  17. Add two cups of boiling water to the steam pan and close the oven door to let the oven fill with steam. 
  18. Place the sheet pan with the rolls on top of the baking stone and bake the rolls for about 15 minutes, until they are a golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack. 
bread, Kaiser rolls, buns
Bread, buns
Jewish
Created using The Recipes Generator
More Barbecue Week Recipes!



This recipe was adapted from the book, Inside the Jewish Bakery by Stanley Ginsberg. It looks like the book is out of print, so be sure to try to find it via your library. 

Would you like to comment?

  1. well, you KNOW I"m going to have to do this soon, right????

    I love it! now I hope I will keep track of my fingers and the folds and all that - I got a bit dizzy just imagining, but maybe once you try to do it, it's easier???? (fingers crossed)

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    Replies
    1. It's hardest with the first one and gets easier as you go. =)

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  2. Karen, quick question - how long did it take for them to rise after shaping? do you think 30 min could be enough?

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  3. These look so good! I've always wanted to make my own Kaiser rolls.

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  4. I love this! I don't mess with bread dough and now I want to!

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  5. These look PERFECT. I've never made kaiser rolls - next on my list!

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  6. These look gorgeous! I always feel so accomplished when I nail a yeast recipe - adding this to my to-try list!

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  7. Have you ever tried these with gluten free flour?

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  8. I would happily eat all the "failed" attempts too :) I've really been working on my yeast proficiency, need to put these on the to-try list!

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    Replies
    1. At least we get to eat the attempts! Or make croutons when all else fails!

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  9. Gorgeous kaiser rolls! Perfect for so many different sandwiches!

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  10. A good roll makes or breaks a sandwich! Yours look fantastic!

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  11. These rolls look wonderful, ad perfect for burgers etc as you say!

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  12. Great work sticking with the rolls till you had the technique down! They looks wonderful!

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    Replies
    1. Thank goodness the "fails" still tasted good!

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  13. I had no idea that's how you shape them! You're totally inspiring me to just bake some bread already! LOL

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! It took me a while and a lot of practice, but I was super happy.

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  14. Hi, Karen! I can't wait to try these -- my Kaiser's (different recipe) come out more like focaccia rolls; still yummy, but not lightweight like a traditional Kaiser. Have you made this recipe by hand-kneading?

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    Replies
    1. I have not done it by hand, but you probably could. You just need to achieve a very smooth dough.

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    2. Got it! As long as I get in there and paddle it well and as long as the kneading won't make them rubbery, I think I'd like to give it a go by hand -- good stress reliever :) Thank you so much for all your recipes!

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  15. My husband is an Austrian chef and Kaisersemmeln do not have eggs or oil in them. Your folding technique is perfect, however.

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  16. Where can I find liquid malt or malt powder? Is there a substitute??

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    Replies
    1. Barley Malt syrup can usually be found in grocery stores or health food stores. You can substitute honey.

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  17. What a great post. I've been looking for a description on how to shape kaiser rolls for a long time.
    JIm

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  18. Could I use non-instant yeast and let it proof?

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  19. What does “Let the rolls rise until they are 3/4 proofed” mean?

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  20. I would like to make these, but I don't have a baking stone. Can I just use a baking sheet?
    Thanks

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  21. A question about the water. 11oz doesn’t weigh 315g and neither equals 1.5c. How much water are you using? Thank you

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    Replies
    1. The most accurate number is grams so follow that, although you might need to adjust anyway depending on the weather as you know. It's hard to round off ounces to remove 4 grams.

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  22. Bread flour vs all purpose flour?

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    Replies
    1. Bread flour is higher in protein, although you can use a good all purpose, such as King Arthur.

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