Easy! Kaiser Rolls

Directions

1. 1
   Combine the ingredients together in a bowl and mix them.
2. 2
   [If you are using a bread machine: put all the dough ingredients into the machine and run it on the dough course.
3. 3
   Skip down to step 8.]
4. 4
   Dissolve the yeast in the water, and add it to the bowl.
5. 5
   Knead for about 5 minutes until the starts to come together.
6. 6
   Add the butter.
7. 7
   Knead for another 5 minutes.
8. 8
   The butter should be fully incorporated into the dough, and the surface of the dough should be smooth.
9. 9
   [First proofing] Gather the dough into a ball, place it in a bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap.
10. 10
    Let it rise in a warm place for 40~60 minutes.
11. 11
    Check the dough after 40 minutes.
12. 12
    It should look like this.
13. 13
    [Resting] Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape them into smooth balls.
14. 14
    Let them rest for 10 minutes.
15. 15
    While resting, cover them with a slightly damp tea towel, so they don't dry out.
16. 16
    Make sure the dough is shaped into a neat ball.
17. 17
    use the ball of your hand to slightly flatten the ball into the proper shape for a kaiser roll.
18. 18
    Create crown-shaped imprints in the dough using the side of a fork.
19. 19
    Press sesame, poppy, or other seeds into the tops of the dough balls, if you want seeded rolls.
20. 20
    [Second proofing] arrange the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet, and let the dough rise in a place that is about 38C
21. 21
    When the rolls have risen, spray them lightly damp with water, and bake them in a 200C oven for 15~18 minutes.
22. 22
    [Advanced shaping technique] You can also shape the bread using your fingers.
23. 23
    This method may not leave clean lines, like you see with the fork above, but I encourage you to challenge yourself and try it.