Chef John's Kummelweck Rolls

Name: Chef John's Kummelweck Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 80 min
Yield: 12 rolls
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; 1 large egg white; 2 teaspoons water; ½ teaspoon caraway seeds, or to taste; coarse sea salt to taste

Rating: 4.79 stars

28 Ratings
24 Reviews
7 Photos

These rolls are fragrant with caraway seeds and topped with coarse salt, making them the perfect base for Western New York's Beef on Weck sandwiches.

By Chef John

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Recipe Summary

prep:

30 mins

cook:

20 mins

additional:

1 hr 30 mins

total:

2 hrs 20 mins

Servings:

Yield:

12 rolls

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

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.

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Step 2

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.
Step 3

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.
Step 4

Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
Step 5

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.
Step 6

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Step 7

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.
Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

Cook's 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.

Get the recipe for Chef John's Beef on Weck sandwiches.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

159 calories; protein 4.3g 9% DV; carbohydrates 27.7g 9% DV; fat 3.2g 5% DV; cholesterolmg; sodium 328.2mg 13% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (24)

Most helpful positive review

bobbbo

03/27/2015

Absolutely the best sandwich buns I have ever made, with or without the toppings. I have been baking breads for over 15 yrs. and they are my new go to buns. I think it's the omission of the yolk that makes the difference. Makes an excellent sandwich loaf also. Stays soft and fresh for days. Home bread bakers must give this a try. Big fan, Chef John. Thanks for all the great recipes. Read More

Helpful

(9)

28 Ratings

5 star values: 22
4 star values: 6
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

bobbbo

03/27/2015

Helpful

(9)

spotgofast

09/12/2015

These have become a family/neighborhood favorite! We sub onion for the caraway my family isn't fond of the seed and they still are fabulous! Easy to make and they go with just about everything. They have replace regular hamburger buns on our menu. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Joe Reich

10/10/2017

Will definitely make these again. Used these for the Beef on Weck recipe. Everybody loved them. Read More

Helpful

(2)

kim

09/29/2018

I’m from Buffalo and I’ve never attempted to make my own kummelweck rolls and this recipe is very authentic! Thanks chef John Read More

Helpful

(2)

tpatzalek

11/20/2017

These were so easy to make. Took no time at all before they were out of the oven and served to the family. Beef on a Weck was awesome! Read More

Helpful

(1)

Michelle McCulloch

10/06/2015

Perfect!!! Tastes even better than the ones you buy in Buffalo! Read More

Helpful

(1)

a.marie1185

08/30/2018

The rolls taste great and have the right consistency but I’ve tried this recipe twice and I cannot get them to raise to the size they are supposed to be. After making them a second time, I watched the attached video and realized the technique used in the video differs slightly from the instructions as they are written. I’m going to follow the video more than the recipe next time and will hope for success! Two main differences are that the recipe doesn’t say to put them in the oven to rise and it also does not specify to whisk all ingredients by hand, not with the whisk attachment for your mixer. My mixture wasn’t getting as “foamy” as it should in the first step and I think that’s why! Read More

Helpful

(1)

Jim

11/21/2017

Magnificent!. I had never heard of these not having lived in the endogenous area where these reside but will be sure to make them again soon. Thanks!! Read More

Helpful

(1)

bksmith

07/11/2017

Awesome recipe!! Made this (and the beef) for dinner tonight. I haven't historically had the best success with buns or rolls but that is more poor execution. These turned out great! I didn't get 12 out of the recipe but I wanted to make sure they were big enough to hold the sandwiches. Only deviation was I used a beaten egg rather than egg whites for when they were called for but that was just out of laziness...still worked. Will definitely make this again!! Read More

Helpful

(1)

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Nutritional Information

Chef John's Kummelweck Rolls

Servings Per Recipe: 12
Calories: 159.2

% Daily Value *

protein: 9 %

carbohydrates: 9 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 4 %

sugars:

fat: 5 %

saturated fat: 2 %

cholesterol:

vitamin a iu:

niacin equivalents: 24 %

vitamin b6: 2 %

vitamin c:

folate: 19 %

calcium: 1 %

iron: 11 %

magnesium: 3 %

potassium: 2 %

sodium: 13 %

thiamin: 28 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat 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 Chef John's Kummelweck Rolls

1 of 24

All Reviews

bobbbo

03/27/2015

Helpful

(9)

spotgofast

09/12/2015

Helpful

(3)

Joe Reich

10/10/2017

Will definitely make these again. Used these for the Beef on Weck recipe. Everybody loved them.

Helpful

(2)

kim

09/29/2018

I’m from Buffalo and I’ve never attempted to make my own kummelweck rolls and this recipe is very authentic! Thanks chef John

Helpful

(2)

tpatzalek

11/20/2017

These were so easy to make. Took no time at all before they were out of the oven and served to the family. Beef on a Weck was awesome!

Helpful

(1)

Michelle McCulloch

10/06/2015

Perfect!!! Tastes even better than the ones you buy in Buffalo!

Helpful

(1)

a.marie1185

08/30/2018

Helpful

(1)

Jim

11/21/2017

Magnificent!. I had never heard of these not having lived in the endogenous area where these reside but will be sure to make them again soon. Thanks!!

Helpful

(1)

bksmith