Brotchen are classic German-style rolls known for their wonderfully crisp, chewy crust and soft, tender interior. These rolls may be simple, but they are tough to forget—just ask any G.I. who was stationed in Germany!
The dough is made with just a handful of basic ingredients and goes through several rises to develop its texture and flavor. After shaping, the rolls are brushed with egg white and baked at a high temperature, giving them their characteristic golden, crusty exterior.
Serve Brotchen warm with butter, alongside a hearty German meal, or use them for sandwiches. They are especially good when you want a roll with a little more crust and character than an ordinary dinner roll.
Brotchen
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons dry active yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Place the flour in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the yeast, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the warm water.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the well in the flour. Do not mix it into the flour yet.
- Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and place it in a warm, draft-free location. Let stand for about 15 minutes.
- Add the remaining warm water and oil. Mix until well combined, then add the salt.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding the remaining flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30–40 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into an oval roll.
- Place the rolls about 3 inches apart on a greased and floured baking sheet. Cover and let rise again until noticeably puffy or nearly doubled in size.
- Beat the egg white with 1 teaspoon water until frothy. Brush the mixture over the tops of the rolls.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the crust is crisp.
- Serve warm or allow to cool before serving.
Notes
fast your dough rises
Nutrition Disclaimer
Art of Cooking Recipes (Paulson Pursuits} is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Every Gi’s favorite.