Kaisersemmeln Emperor Rolls

Elevate your bread-baking game with Kaisersemmeln, also known as Emperor Rolls—an iconic Austrian treat prized for its soft, fluffy interior, and beautifully intricate star-shaped crust. These golden rolls are made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, yeast, and butter, yet achieve bakery-quality results with their exquisite texture and taste. A key feature is their elegant shape, easily crafted using a Kaiser roll stamp or hand-crimping technique, making them perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence. Finished with a glossy egg wash and baked to perfection, these rolls boast a slightly crisp exterior that pairs wonderfully with butter, preserves, or hearty sandwich fillings. Whether served warm at breakfast or as a showstopper on your dinner table, these Kaisersemmeln will transport you straight to the heart of Austria.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:150 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:170 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 500 grams all-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 300 milliliters warm water (about 40-45°C)
• 45 grams unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg (for the egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons milk (for the egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the softened butter and rub it into the flour using your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 4

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 6

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 10 equal pieces (about 80 grams each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball.

Step 7

To create the traditional Kaisersemmeln shape, either use a Kaiser roll stamp to press a star pattern into each ball or manually fold and crimp the dough to form the star design.

Step 8

Place the shaped rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them loosely with a towel, and let them rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).

Step 10

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to create the egg wash. Gently brush the egg wash over the tops of the rolls.

Step 11

Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 12

Allow the rolls to cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy fresh with butter or preserves!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(958.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2283.8

Total Fat 47.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 286.7mg	0%
Sodium 4813.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 394.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g	0%
Total Sugars 11.2g
Protein 61.6g	0%

Vitamin D 78.7IU	0%
Calcium 143.0mg	0%
Iron 24.5mg	0%
Potassium 810.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.9%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 70.2%