Sourdough Sandwich Rolls

Making sourdough sandwich rolls from scratch is a rewarding process that results in delicious, tangy, and fluffy rolls perfect for any sandwich. Here’s a detailed recipe to guide you through the process:

Ingredients:

For the Starter:

• 1/4 cup sourdough starter (active and bubbly)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water (room temperature)

For the Dough:

• All of the starter
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water (room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

Prepare the Starter:

1. Mix Starter: In a medium bowl, mix the sourdough starter, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1/2 cup of water. Cover loosely and let it sit at room temperature for 4-8 hours or until bubbly and active.

Make the Dough:

2. Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the active starter, 3 1/2 cups of flour, 1 cup of water, olive oil, sugar, and salt.
3. Knead Dough: Knead the dough by hand or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes with a mixer.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until doubled in size.

Shape the Rolls:

5. Divide Dough: Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces for large rolls or 12 pieces for smaller rolls.
6. Shape Rolls: Shape each piece into a round ball. To do this, tuck the edges of the dough under itself and pinch at the bottom to form a smooth top. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until puffy and almost doubled in size.

Bake the Rolls:

8. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.
10. Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden-brown color when baked.
11. Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should be about 200°F (93°C).

Cool and Serve:

12. Cool: Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade sourdough sandwich rolls with your favorite fillings!