German Brotchen Rolls

Name: German Brotchen Rolls
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 60 min
Yield: 24 rolls
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon white sugar; 2 ½ cups warm water (110 degrees F); 2 tablespoons shortening; 2 teaspoons salt; 7 cups all-purpose flour; 3 egg whites, stiffly beaten; 1 egg white (for egg wash); 2 tablespoons cold milk

Rating: 4.53 stars

174 Ratings
128 Reviews
40 Photos

These rolls are nice and chewy with a very firm crumb. Most enjoyable.

By MARBALET

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

40 mins

cook:

20 mins

additional:

2 hrs

total:

3 hrs

Servings:

Yield:

24 rolls

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 24 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 ½ cups warm water (110 degrees F)
2 tablespoons shortening
2 teaspoons salt
7 cups all-purpose flour
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 egg white (for egg wash)
2 tablespoons cold milk

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit until creamy; about 10 minutes.

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Step 2

Mix in shortening, salt and 3 cups of the flour. Beat with dough whisk or heavy spoon for 2 minutes. Fold in egg whites. Gradually add flour 1/4 cup at a time, until dough forms a mass and begins to pull away from bowl. Turn onto a floured surface. Knead, adding more flour as necessary, for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic with bubbles.
Step 3

Lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Deflate the dough, form into a round and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Step 4

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and form into oval rolls about 3 1/2 inches long. Place on lightly greased baking sheets, cover and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
Step 5

Place an empty baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg white with the 2 tablespoons of milk to make the egg wash. Lightly brush the risen rolls with the egg wash. Place 1 cup of ice cubes on the hot baking sheet in the oven and immediately place the rolls in the oven.
Step 6

Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for about 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and cool.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

150 calories; protein 4.8g; carbohydrates 28.8g; fat 1.5g; cholesterol 0.1mg; sodium 205.5mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (128)

Most helpful positive review

JACKDIVER

10/30/2003

I´ve been living in germany for 21 years now, and this recipe is very good. But to make them more authentic, lightly slice the rolls lengethwise and then add the egg wash. Read More

Helpful

(172)

Most helpful critical review

kcharlee27837

01/04/2006

I am German and these Rolls are far from the real thing. Read More

Helpful

(11)

174 Ratings

5 star values: 120
4 star values: 35
3 star values: 13
2 star values: 4
1 star values: 2

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

JACKDIVER

10/29/2003

I´ve been living in germany for 21 years now, and this recipe is very good. But to make them more authentic, lightly slice the rolls lengethwise and then add the egg wash. Read More

Helpful

(172)

SILVER_WINGS3

04/14/2003

Definetly took a while but it was worth it. Had lots of my German friends come over and everyone loved it and said it tasted just like German Brotchen. Made 33 had 10 guests and all the rolls were gone at the end of the evening. Just make sure you put the eggwash on just a second before putting them into the oven. Any earlier and they won't turn out very shiny. A Read More

Helpful

(91)

BZGUNTER

04/27/2003

After living in Germany for 5 years and searching for a brotchen recipe I am happy with this one as being authentic. Read More

Helpful

(52)

EPARKS

04/14/2003

I have been searching many websites for authentic texture of german brotchen. It is obvious many have not tried the real thing. This recipe is as close as I have come the texture is correct. Now I just have to shape them correctly and get the right crust.:) Read More

Helpful

(35)

debsdishes

04/14/2003

These rolls are the very best you can make at home. The ice in the oven makes the crust just like a bakery. I will make this again. Thank you. Read More

Helpful

(34)

JAZZY-GIRL

10/22/2003

I'm German and these are awesome. Thanks for sharing. Read More

Helpful

(27)

MOMMYMANS

10/22/2003

These are on request CONSTANTLY! What a great recipe and is the closest I have found to the "real deal" as far as a brotchen recipe is concerned. I've been through a ton of them and since getting them here where I am is Impossible the only thing I can do is make my own. =) THANK YOU! Read More

Helpful

(24)

JUMPER03

05/30/2003

Outstanding recipe. Tastes exactly like the ones my Opa used to get at the bakery every morning Read More

Helpful

(22)

BAKININBUDAPEST

05/26/2010

My Hungarian husband says perfect. MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE IS THAT I USED A BREAD MACHINE ON THE DOUGH SETTING. I made another tiny change which I will probably keep. I didn't have another egg for the egg wash so I put about an 1/8 cup of milk and 2 T of butter in the dish that I had whipped the egg whites. Put the milk mixture in the microwave for 30 secs. Used this as my egg wash. First batch came out perfectly the second batch came out with a crusty crust like "Au Petit Pan." Both were "flawless " according to husband and son. They want me to start making these every day we are in the US. I didn't find this any more labor intensive than any other bread or roll recipe on this site but I did use the bread machine. Read More

Helpful

(22)

kcharlee27837

01/04/2006

I am German and these Rolls are far from the real thing. Read More

Helpful

(11)

More Reviews

Back to German Brotchen Rolls

All Reviews for German Brotchen Rolls

- of Reviews

German Brotchen Rolls

Servings Per Recipe: 24
Calories: 150.4

% Daily Value *

protein: 10 %

carbohydrates: 9 %

dietary fiber: 5 %

sugars:

fat: 2 %

saturated fat: 2 %

cholesterol:

vitamin a iu:

niacin equivalents: 27 %

folate: 23 %

calcium: 1 %

iron: 10 %

magnesium: 4 %

potassium: 2 %

sodium: 8 %

thiamin: 31 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of German Brotchen Rolls

1 of 128

All Reviews

JACKDIVER

10/29/2003

I´ve been living in germany for 21 years now, and this recipe is very good. But to make them more authentic, lightly slice the rolls lengethwise and then add the egg wash.

Helpful

(172)

SILVER_WINGS3