Septieme Hard Rolls (MS)

By LDenvir

Ingredients

• These crisp, yeasty bread rolls from Seattle chef Kurt Timmermeister are delicious on their own or served with fresh butter, jam, and artisanal cheeses.
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 cups warm (110 degrees) water
• 8 cups bread flour, plus more for work surface
• 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 3 tablespoons coarse salt

Details

Servings 16

Preparation

Step 1

Stir together yeast, sugar, and warm water in the bowl of an electric mixer; let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment.

In a large bowl, whisk together both flours and salt. With the mixer on low, add half of the flour mixture; mix until well combined. Slowly add enough of the remaining flour mixture to form a sticky dough.

Continue kneading with the dough hook, adding remaining flour as necessary, until dough is smooth and completely pulls away from the sides of the bowl (you may have up to 1/2 cup flour left over), about 15 minutes. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and continue to knead with your hands to make a smooth ball, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm place until it begins to rise, about 1 hour. Transfer bowl to refrigerator; refrigerate overnight.

Lightly flour 2 baking sheets; set aside. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking, and divide evenly between prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each ball of dough. Let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, about 5 hours. If a skin begins to form on the dough, cover with a clean towel.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly dust dough with flour and transfer to top rack of oven. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes, rotating and switching baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and let rolls cool on baking sheet. Reheat in a 400-degree oven just before serving to crisp and warm through.