BRÖTCHEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Pour 2 1/2 cups flour into a large bowl and form a well in the center.
• In a separate container, mix yeast, sugar, and two tablespoons water (water comes from the 1 cup above).
• Pour yeast mixture into the well but do not mix with the flour at this time.
• Cover bowl with a cloth and set it in a warm place for 15 minutes to rise.
• Add remaining water and oil and beat until mixed. Add SALT.
• Turn dough out onto counter and knead until smooth. Adding remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed.
• Put dough in bowl, cover and let rise until double in size. (about 30-40 minutes).
• Punch down and divide dough into 12 parts.
• Shape into oval rolls and place 3" apart on greased and floured cookie sheet.
• Cover and let rise until double in size.
• Beat egg white and 1 tsp water with a fork until frothy and brush onto rolls.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• The time is an estimate, depending on how fast your dough rises.

Steps:

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