Rye Rolls

 Soft and chewy.  So good.  I like to make Reubens out of them.   You can make the rolls and make sliders out of them.  This dough is sticky, so don't add more flour.   If it's too sticky, dip your fingers in a little water while kneading the dough.

RYE ROLLS

(makes 12)

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cup warm water (about 105 degrees)

*2 tablespoon molasses (or honey)

*2 teaspoon active dry yeast 

*2 3/4 cup (330 grams) bread flour

*1 1/2 cups (160 grams) rye flour 

*2 teaspoon salt

*1 tablespoon vegetable oil

*1 tablespoon caraway seeds (plus a tad bit more if you want to put some on top of rolls)

Directions:

~In a small bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups warm water, 2 tablespoon molasses, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast.

~Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast proofs (foams up).

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk 2 3/4 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 cups rye flour, and 2 teaspoons salt together until well combined.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon caraway seeds into flour mixture.

~Stir in yeast mixture until dough is shaggy.

~Using a dough hook (or your hands), knead dough until smooth and slightly sticky (6-8 minutes).

~Shape dough into a ball.

~Grease a large bowl and place dough into bowl and then flip so both sides have a coating of oil.

~Cover bowl and allow to rise in a warm draft free area until dough doubles in size (about 1 hour).

~Gently punch down and allow it to rise once more until double in size (about 1 hour).  This step is optional, but it makes for a lighter bread.

~Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

~Gently punch down dough and place on a lightly floured surface.

~Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces (18-24 if making sliders).

~Roll each section into a ball and place into prepared pan.

~Cover dough with some plastic wrap or a clean damp tea towel and allow rolls to rise double in size (30-40 minutes).

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Sprinkle a few caraway seeds over top of roll (optional).

~Bake for 20-30 minutes. 

~Remove from oven, remove rolls from pan and place on a cooling rack.

~I like to brush a little melted butter over the hot rolls.