Description
Rustic artisan rolls bring European bakery magic to home kitchens with rich, golden crusts and tender interiors. Crafted from simple ingredients and traditional techniques, these rolls invite warm memories of neighborhood bakeries and fresh-baked comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 cups room-temperature tap water
Leavening Agent:
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
Seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine bread flour, salt, and yeast in a medium-large mixing vessel. Create a central cavity and pour in water. Utilize a robust spatula to blend ingredients until fully integrated. The mixture will appear moist and slightly tacky – this is the desired consistency. Encase the bowl with plastic wrap and allow fermentation at ambient temperature for 10-12 hours.
- Upon returning, the dough will have expanded and developed a bubbly, uneven surface with visible fermentation marks.
- Arrange parchment paper across a baking sheet. Calibrate oven temperature to 425ºF.
- Liberally dust a work surface with flour. Gently transfer dough onto the prepared area, rotating to coat with flour. Employ a bench scraper for precise handling if available.
- Fragment the dough into 12-16 uniform segments. Manipulate each portion into a rounded shape by tucking edges underneath and creating a smooth exterior. Position rolls pinched-side upward on the prepared sheet, ensuring rustic texture. Dust with additional flour if experiencing adhesive challenges. Allow rolls to rest for 20 minutes.
- During resting, rolls might appear slightly deflated, but will transform dramatically when exposed to intense heat.
- Carefully slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for initial 15 minutes, then rotate pan. Continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until achieving a rich golden hue. Transfer rolls onto a cooling rack.
- For advance preparation, remove rolls when pale golden. Cool completely, then freeze individually on a baking sheet. Once solidified, transfer to a resealable freezer bag. When ready to serve, thaw and reheat at 325˚F for 10-12 minutes to restore freshness.
Notes
- Overnight fermentation develops deep, complex flavors and creates a light, airy texture with incredible depth.
- Use bread flour for higher protein content, ensuring better gluten development and chewier rolls with robust structure.
- Extremely wet, sticky dough is crucial for creating those signature rustic, artisan-style bread characteristics.
- Gentle shaping technique prevents deflating precious air bubbles, maintaining the rolls’ delicate interior structure.
- Inverting rolls with pinched side up creates stunning, craggy exterior that looks professionally baked.
- Freezing option allows you to prepare rolls in advance, maintaining fresh-baked quality for future enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg