In a medium-sized bowl, pour some warm water. The water should not be so warm that your finger burns. It should be slightly warm but not too warm to become a heated liquid hazard. Mix the granulated sugar into the water, make sure it dissolves completely.
Pour in the instant yeast. Slowly mix the yeast with the sugar and dissolve water. After the water seems to be taking the yeast in, cover it with a lid and set it aside in a warm enough place. This will help the yeast to activate and really start working.
In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sprinkle the salt, and make a little well. Fill it with the yeast mixed water. Slowly start mixing them together. You can use your hands or a spoon. You can even use a spatula. It all depends on your comfort zone. The dough will start forming as you keep mixing the wet and dry ingredients together. As the lumpy dough forms, cover it with a damp yet fresh towel and set it aside to rest. Let it rise for 40-45 minutes.
Sprinkle some loose flour and punch down softly on the dough. It should have increased in size by now. Stretch and fold the dough for a few minutes. Make sure the dough oxygenates and gets a lot of air in. Drip some oil on your hands, lather the dough into a ball, and set it back into the bowl. Let it rest and rise for another 45 minutes.
While the dough is resting and rising, ready a baking sheet. Line it with baking paper. Make sure the baking sheets have enough space for the bread to stretch and increase in volume. Preheat the oven at 220 degrees F. Keep it preheating for about 10-15 minutes.
Beat a large egg with a fork. You can sprinkle just a little bit of salt into it. Pour some water too. Beat it well to make a good egg wash. Ready a cooking brush with which you will brush the bread rolls.
Uncover the dough and sprinkle loose powder. Stretch and fold the dough. Divide it into 12 pieces. Place them on the baking sheet. Brush them with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle poppy seeds and sesame seeds on them. Make sure they stick well. You can take a sharp knife and make a cross on top of each of them but not too deep.
Place them in the oven and bake for around 35-40 minutes. Take them out and check if they are ready. Let them rest on a cooling rack for about 10-15 minutes. Serve with your main dish or soup and gravy. Enjoy warm!
Tips
You can check between the baking time to see if the outer color of the rolls is golden brown. Make sure the dough gets plenty of rest during the forming duration. You don't need to rush it. It is necessary that the bread is fluffy and soft. The yeast will help with achieving that goal. That is why the dough needs to get plenty of rest and be well activated by the yeast. You can glaze the divided doughs with egg wash in between the baking process too, but that is only suggested when you become an intermediate-level cook. It is tough and risky to attempt. This second egg wash helps the outer layer become crispier, and the bread feels super toasted and can be enjoyed with a lot of dishes. These hard rolls can be eaten with whipped cream, salted butter spread, chocolate syrups, chicken soup, corn soup, vegetable soup, etc. You can grill cheese on the bread rolls and enjoy it as a make-shift cheese sandwich too. You can store the baked bread rolls in an airtight box and warm them up in the microwave when you want to have them. You can also slice it in half and toast the bread rolls. It can serve well as a breakfast dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
New York Hard Rolls Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
211
% Daily Value*
Fat
2
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
0
g
0
%
Trans Fat
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
0
g
Cholesterol
14
mg
5
%
Sodium
12
mg
1
%
Potassium
66
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
42
g
14
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
20
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
0
mg
0
%
Calcium
16
mg
2
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.