
Authentic German Brötchen Rolls
Experience the taste of traditional German bakeries with these homemade Brötchen rolls. Featuring a golden, crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior, they're perfect for breakfast or as a side to any meal. Enjoy them fresh from the oven with your favorite spreads and toppings.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- 2 tablespoons shortening (or unsalted butter)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons cold milk
For the Steam Effect (Crusty Texture):
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
Activate the Yeast:
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until creamy and foamy.
Prepare the Dough:
- Add shortening (or butter), salt, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well for about 2 minutes.
- Gently fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, ¼ cup at a time, stirring until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes, adding flour as needed, until smooth and elastic.
First Rise:
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and turn to coat.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Second Rise:
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a ball.
- Let it rise again for another 45 minutes until doubled in size.
Shape the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Divide into 24 equal pieces and shape each into an oval roll about 3 ½ inches long.
- Place the rolls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise for 40 minutes.
Prepare for Baking:
- Place an empty baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven during preheating.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and cold milk to create an egg wash.
- Lightly brush the rolls with the egg wash for a shiny, golden crust.
- Just before baking, carefully add 1 cup of ice cubes to the hot baking sheet at the bottom of the oven to create steam, which gives the rolls their signature crispy crust.
Bake the Rolls:
- Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Notes

Serving Suggestions 🍽️
These German Brötchen are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven! Try them with:✅ Butter & Jam 🍯
✅ Cheese & Cold Cuts 🧀🥓
✅ Nutella or Honey 🍫🍯
✅ Scrambled Eggs & Avocado 🥑🥚 Enjoy your homemade German Brötchen with your favorite toppings, and experience a little slice of Germany in your kitchen! 🇩🇪🥖
💡 Pro Tip: If you want even more crunch, lightly spritz the rolls with water right before baking! Did you try this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in the comments! 📝✨