KAISER ROLLS FROM KING ARTHUR FLOUR

Steps:

• Manual Method:.
• In a large bowl, or the bowl of your electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients, stirring till the dough forms a cohesive mass and begins to clear the sides of the bowl.
• Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then allow it to rest for 10 minutes (which gives the dough a chance to absorb the liquid, and the gluten in the flour a chance to relax.)
• Knead the dough for an additional 5 minutes, or until it's smooth and supple.
• The dough should be quite stiff, but not at all "gnarly;" adjust its consistency with additional flour or water, as necessary.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise till it's noticeably puffy, about 1 hour.
• Bread Machine Method:.
• Place all of the ingredients into the pan of your machine, program the machine for manual or dough, and press start.
• About 10 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle, examine the dough's consistency; it should be quite stiff, but not at all "gnarly;" adjust it consistency with additional flour or water, as necessary.
• Allow the machine to complete its cycle.
• Shaping:.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface, and divide it into six equal pieces.
• Shape the pieces into round balls, and place them on a lightly greased or parchment lined baking sheet.
• Working with one ball of dough at a time, center your kaiser stamp over the dough.
• Press down frimly, cutting to the bottom but not all the way through the dough. This is important; if you don't cut deeply enough, the shape disappears as the roll bakes; if you cut too deeply (all the way through), the roll will form "petals" as it rises and look like a daisy, not a kaiser roll. Practice makes perfect!
• Repeat with the remaining rolls.
• Place the rolls cut-side down (yes-cut-side down--this helps them retain their shape) onto a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Cover the rolls, and allow them to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they've almost doubled in volume.
• Turn the rolls cut-side up.
• Dip tops in milk and coat with poppy or sesame seeds, if desired.
• Bake the rolls in a preheated 425°F oven vor 15 to 17 minutes, or until they're golden brown.
• Remove them from the oven, and cool on a wire rack.