Chef John’s Kummelweck Rolls
These rolls are infused with the aroma of caraway seeds and garnished with coarse salt, making them an ideal foundation for crafting Beef on Weck sandwiches, a specialty of Western New York.
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F/41 degrees C)
- 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
- 2 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon honey, or more to taste
Topping
- 1 large egg white
- 2 teaspoons water
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds, or to taste
- coarse sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Whisk 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup warm water, and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit until foamy, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir 2 tablespoons oil, 1 egg white, sugar, salt, and honey into yeast mixture; whisk until smooth. Gradually add flour to yeast mixture while mixer is running with the dough hook attached; knead until a soft, sticky dough forms, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drizzle remaining vegetable oil into the bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover the bowl and let dough rise until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, flatten dough, and press into rectangle. Cut dough into 12 pieces and form pieces into rolls. Place rolls 2-inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Whisk 1 egg white and 2 teaspoons water together in a small bowl. Use kitchen shears to cut an X at the top of each roll. Brush rolls with egg white mixture and sprinkle with caraway seeds and salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
Notes
I like to add about 80% of the flour called for and then continue adding small amounts as the dough kneads until I have the perfect texture. You want a soft, fairly sticky dough that pulls cleanly off the sides of the bowl.
Nutrition
Calories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSodium: 328mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gCalcium: 7mgIron: 2mg
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