German Brotchen Rolls



I recently finished reading the Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy.  The novel follows Elsie and her family during WWII in Germany.  Elsie’s family (at least somewhat) sympathized with the Nazi party (more so, they did what they were told to keep their livelihood).  It was fascinating to read a story from the perspective of a regular German citizen.


The story also has a second, modern day point of view character, Reba.  And honestly, I would have much rather read an entire story about Elsie instead of being interrupted by Reba.  Reba was boring and whiny and I really just wanted to enjoy a good historical fiction. 

Thankfully, more of the story centered on Elsie and her journey through WWII, so I was able to deal with Reba.

Since Elsie came from a family of Bakers (thus the title), there were many amazing breads described throughout the story.  However, the one that stood out the most and had a prominent role in the story were the Brotchen Rolls.

Brotchen Rolls are a rustic German hard-roll.  Most of the recipes I found involved whipped egg whites in the dough and plenty of steam during baking.


The rolls end up crusty on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.  They’re the perfect accompaniment to any meal!


Brotchen
Adapted from All Recipes

Dough
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 ¼ cups very warm water (110-115 degrees F)
1 ½ tsp sugar
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp salt
3 ½ cups flour
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Egg Wash
1 egg white
2 tbsp milk


Place the water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.  Allow the mixture to sit until foamy.

Add the butter, salt and 1 ½ cups of flour.  Mix until smooth and combined.  Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.

Slowly add in the remaining flour.  Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

Spray a clean bowl with non stick spray.  Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat.  Cover loosely and allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft free area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.  Place on a baking sheet and cover loosely.  Allow the rolls to rise for 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.  Place an empty pan on the bottom rack of the oven.

Whisk together the egg white and milk.  Brush the egg wash over the rolls, then use a sharp knife to cut a slit down the center of each roll.

Immediately place the rolls in the oven.  Toss 1 cup of ice onto the empty pan (this will create steam to give the buns a crusty exterior).

Bake for 20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.  Remove from the oven and cool.






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Brotchen (German Hard Rolls)
Brotchen are traditional German Hard Rolls, inspired by the book, The Baker's Daughter.
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon yeast
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 egg whites
Instructions
Place the water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to sit until foamy.Add the butter, salt and 1 ½ cups of flour. Mix until smooth and combined. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.Slowly add in the remaining flour. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.Spray a clean bowl with non stick spray. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat. Cover loosely and allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft free area until doubled in size.Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Place on a baking sheet and cover loosely. Allow the rolls to rise for 45 minutes.Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place an empty pan on the bottom rack of the oven.Whisk together the egg white and milk. Brush the egg wash over the rolls, then use a sharp knife to cut a slit down the center of each roll.Immediately place the rolls in the oven. Toss 1 cup of ice onto the empty pan (this will create steam to give the buns a crusty exterior). Bake for 20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 12 rolls

Comments

  1. Sorry you didn't really care for the book. I remember reading it for Cook the Books, maybe 4 years ago, and really enjoying it. I'll have to go back and look at it again. Your rolls look fabulous!

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  2. I liked this book. Your rolls look great.

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  3. these rolls are beautiful and look SOO YUMMY

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  4. The book actually sounds good and your Brotchen Rolls look scrumptious. I would like to read the book and definitely bake the rolls. What kind of flour did you use? I usually make all my bread with bread flour. I find it has the best texture. I'm never a fan of AP FLOUR for any type of bread or rolls. Thank for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. I used all purpose because that's what I had on hand. Use bread flour is that's what you prefer!

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  5. We were stationed in Germany for 3 yrs, brotchen rolls were one of our favourite breads to buy, sometimes when we would go down town they had food carts where you could get brats with mustard on a brotchen roll, it was so good 😊

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  6. The best brötchen still are baked daily in the many bakeries still found all over Germany, but they are really difficult to find in this country. If you have a Publix nearby, they make from scratch daily a product called "Chicago Rolls," which are the closest thing I have found to good brötchen anywhere near me (East Tennessee). They also have 8 oz Baguettes and "Chicago Bread" from the same recipe. I really miss Germany!

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