WONDERFUL HOMEMADE KAISER ROLLS!

Steps:

• Beat egg whites until stiff.
• Set aside.
• Combine yeast and warm water, and let sit about 5 minutes.
• Add shortening, sugar, salt and 3 cups of the flour.
• Beat with dough whisk or heavy spoon for 2 minutes.
• Fold egg whites into yeast mixture.
• Gradually add flour 1/4 cup at a time, until dough comes together and begins to pull away from bowl.
• Turn onto a floured surface.
• Knead, adding more flour as needed, for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and pliable w/ bubbles.
• Place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, and cover with damp towel.
• Let rise until double, about 1 hour.
• Punch down, cover and let rise again until double (about 45 minutes.) Punch down and turn out onto lightly oiled surface.
• Divide dough into 18 equal pieces.
• Use rolling pin to flatten each piece into a 7 inch circle.
• Fold left side to center to form a flap.
• Fold next side into center.
• Repeat all the way around 4 times to make overlapping flaps.
• Lift the first flap to ease the last flap underneath.
• Press center to seal the dough.
• Takes some work, but they look pretty when you get the technique down!
• Place rolls upside down on a well-greased baking sheet, 3 inches apart to help them keep their shape.
• Let rise 30 minutes, turn right side up, let rise 15 more minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425.
• Put a shallow pan on the bottom shelf of oven.
• Lightly brush the rolls with egg wash.
• Sprinkle with poppy or caraway seeds or coarse salt.
• Place 1 cup of ice cubes in the heated pan in oven.
• Immediately put the rolls in and bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown (internal temp will read 190).
• Remove and cool on racks.