With their versatility and scrumptious taste, Kaiser rolls are a delightful addition to any meal. Enjoy these homemade buns with hamburgers, sandwiches, or on their own as decadent dinner rolls. From the initial sponge to shaping the rolls and sprinkling them with seeds, this rewarding baking adventure offers both novice and seasoned bakers the joy of creating homemade buns. This article will guide you through the simple steps to create these delicious and versatile buns that will impress your family and guests alike. The simplicity of this recipe and its delicious results will make you question whether you ever want to buy store bought Kaiser rolls again.

Recipe: Kaiser Rolls

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups warm water
• 2 scant tablespoons (or 2 packets) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup oil
• additional 2 ½ to 3 cups bread or all-purpose flour (for making the stiff dough)
• 1 egg white (check out ideas for leftover egg yolks here.)
• 1 teaspoon water
• sesame seeds or poppy seeds (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions:

1. Sponge: To create a sponge, combine warm water, active dry yeast, sugar, and either bread flour or all-purpose flour. Beat the mixture until smooth, cover it, and let it stand for 10 minutes. 
2. Stiff Dough: After the sponge has rested, stir in the salt and the oil. Gradually add the additional flour until you achieve a stiff, elastic dough.
3. Kneading: Turning out the dough onto a floured surface, knead it until it becomes smooth and pliable, adding more flour if necessary to prevent sticking.
4. First Rise: Now that the dough is ready, place it in a well-greased bowl and allow it to rise until doubled in size, typically around 45 to 60 minutes. The yeast will work its magic, creating air pockets within the dough that result in light and airy rolls.
5. Roll Formation: Punch down the risen dough to release excess air, and then divide it into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, ensuring the bottom is securely sealed by pinching it together. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, either greased with oil or covered with parchment paper. Let the balls rest for another 10 minutes. Gently press each ball to flatten slightly, leaving the balls still fairly rounded. 
6. Second Rise: Cover the rolls again and let them rise until almost doubled in size, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.
7. Baking: Before baking, brush the tops of the rolls with a mixture of egg white and water. Generously sprinkle the rolls with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Bake the Kaiser rolls in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until they achieve a rich, golden-brown color. Once baked, cool the Kaiser rolls on wire racks.