By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on August 5, 2023 | Last Updated on August 19, 2023
This New York Hard Roll is an easy and flavorful way to bring the classic flavors of New York into your kitchen. In just a few simple steps, you can make these delicious yeast-raised bread rolls at home. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a great accompaniment to many dishes.
The combination of ingredients creates an incredibly light and soft dough that will rise nicely in the oven for beautiful golden brown rolls. Topped with poppy seeds and sesame seeds.
In this article, we’ll provide instructions on making these, classic New York Hard Rolls, a few tips and tricks, what to serve with them, how to store leftovers and more. So keep reading for all the details!
What is New York Hard Roll?
New York Hard Roll is a type of bread roll that originated in the state of New York. These flavorful rolls are light and airy yet still have a slightly firm texture that makes them satisfying to eat.
The unique combination of ingredients makes these New York Hard Rolls stand out from other bread rolls. This is also an excellent source of essential nutrients. This bread roll is sure to satisfy your taste buds while providing important nutrition.
What does it taste like?
The New York Hard Roll has a unique flavor profile. The combination of ingredients creates a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet bread roll that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The pizza flour or all-purpose flour provides a wonderful consistency, while the yeast helps create a subtle sweetness and slight tanginess to the rolls.
The vegetable oil adds richness and flavor, while the sugar helps to provide sweetness and helps the dough to rise. The egg wash gives a beautiful golden-brown color and sheen.
To top it all off, poppy seeds and sesame seeds add smoothness, making them a truly unique and delicious bread roll.
How did I first get introduced to the New York Hard Roll?
I first got introduced to the New York Hard Roll when I was visiting my friend in Brooklyn. We had gone out for dinner and when the check came he advised us for the Special Hard Roll.
I was curious and when it arrived, I could not believe my eyes! It was a fluffy roll with a golden-brown top and sprinkled with poppy seeds – it looked delicious.
And the taste was absolutely incredible. I asked him about it and he told me that this is one of the best bread rolls in New York.
He gave me the instructions for how he made it and I was anxious to try it out back home. So when I got home, the first thing I did was to look up all the ingredients needed to make New York Hard Roll.
After gathering what I needed, I followed the instructions and was able to make this amazing bread roll in my own kitchen! It is now one of my favorite breads to make and I’m always happy to share the technique with everyone.
How to make New York Hard Rollall-purpose?
Making these New York Hard Rolls at home is simple and requires just a few ingredients. Follow the steps below to make this delicious hard roll at home.
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Ingredients
- Pizza flour or all-purpose flour: This is the primary ingredient used to make the New York Hard Roll. It helps create a light and fluffy dough that will rise nicely in the oven.
- Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil is added to provide richness and flavor to the roll.
- Instant yeast: This is used as a leavening agent, which helps the dough to rise and become light and fluffy.
- Granulated sugar: Sugar helps the dough to rise and also adds sweetness to the roll.
- Salt: Salt is used for flavor as well as to provide structure for the dough.
- Water: Water helps bind all of the ingredients together and creates a moist, soft dough.
- Egg: The egg helps to give the dough a golden-brown color and sheen. It also helps to bind the ingredients together and provides structure.
- Poppy seeds and sesame seeds: These are used as toppings for the hard roll, adding flavor and texture to the finished product.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1
Begin by adding the flour, oil, yeast, sugar, and salt to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together until they are fully incorporated.
Step 2
Add in the water and mix until you have a soft dough that is just starting to come away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
Step 3
Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 4
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into the desired shape and place it on a greased baking tray. Allow the rolls to rise for another 30 minutes before brushing with egg wash. Sprinkle poppy seeds and sesame seeds on each roll.
Step 5
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely before serving.
Tips
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin – this will help the dough to rise properly.
- To make sure the rolls stay light and fluffy, avoid over-mixing or kneading the dough.
- Use a pastry brush to apply egg wash evenly on each roll before baking.
- Make sure the rolls are completely cooled before serving.
Nutrition Information
New York Hard Roll Recipe
Equipment
- plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 tsp brown sugar or white granulated sugar
- 2 tsp instant yeast (rapid-rise or bread machine yeast)
- 2 1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg beaten with a teaspoon of water and a pinch of salt
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- Begin by adding the flour, oil, yeast, sugar, and salt to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together until they are fully incorporated.
- Add in the water and mix until you have a soft dough that is just starting to come away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into the desired shape and place it on a greased baking tray. Allow the rolls to rise for another 30 minutes before brushing with egg wash. Sprinkle poppy seeds and sesame seeds on each roll.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin – this will help the dough to rise properly.
- To make sure the rolls stay light and fluffy, avoid over-mixing or kneading the dough.
- Use a pastry brush to apply egg wash evenly on each roll before baking.
- Make sure the rolls are completely cooled before serving.
What to serve with New York Hard Roll?
New York Hard Rolls are incredibly versatile and can be served in a lot of ways. They make the perfect accompaniment to soups, salads, or even sandwiches.
Enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a schmear of butter or cream cheese, or serve them as part of your favorite breakfast spread with eggs and bacon.
These hard rolls can also be used for sliders, Italian sandwiches, or even stuffed with fresh vegetables and cheese. You can even use them to make pizzas or garlic bread.
How to store leftover New York Hard Roll?
New York Hard Rolls will last for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure to wrap them tightly so that they don’t dry out. You can also freeze the rolls for up to 1 month.
To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature and pop them in the oven or microwave until heated through. If you are not planning on eating all of the rolls right away, it is best to freeze them for later use. This way, you can have freshly baked New York Hard Rolls anytime!
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can safely have New York Hard Rolls. The primary ingredients are generally considered safe for pregnant women.
However, it is important to ensure that they are cooked thoroughly before consumption as undercooked or raw dough can contain harmful bacteria.
It is also important to note that pregnant women should avoid eating large amounts of poppy seeds, as these can contain trace amounts of opium. This could potentially be harmful to the baby.
If you are pregnant and planning on making New York Hard Rolls, it is best to keep the amount of poppy seed topping minimal or omit them altogether. Enjoying this in moderation is perfectly safe for pregnant women.
FAQs
How can I make it more soft and elastic?
To make the New York Hard Roll soft and fluffy, you should use pizza flour or all-purpose flour as your base. You can also make sure that you knead the dough for 3-4 minutes until it is smooth and elastic before rising.
Is this necessary to use an egg wash?
Yes, an egg wash is recommended before baking the rolls. This helps to give the rolls a golden-brown color and sheen. The egg also helps to bind all of the ingredients together and provides structure.
Can I use any other type of flour for this,?
It is best to use pizza flour or all-purpose flour, as these flours have the right amount of protein and gluten content required for the perfect New York Hard Rolls. Other types of flour may not yield the same results.
Can I make this roll without sugar?
Yes, you can make the New York Hard Roll without sugar if desired. However, it is important to note that the sugar helps the dough to rise and adds a slight sweetness to the roll. If you prefer a less sweet roll, you can reduce the amount of sugar used or omit it altogether.
What are some alternatives to poppy seeds and sesame seeds?
You can use a variety of toppings for your New York Hard Rolls. For example, you can try adding chopped nuts, dried herbs, or even shredded cheese as an alternative to the poppy seed and sesame seed topping.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for reading this guide on how to make New York Hard Rolls! Making these delicious rolls at home is a great way to add some variety to your baking repertoire.
With the right ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and a bit of patience, you’ll be able to have the benefit of freshly baked hard rolls.
Please share your experiences and any tips you have when making New York Hard Rolls in the comments section below.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
