Throughout my Artisan Bread class, I had been waiting to make a nice, soft roll that can be paired with brunch or even dinner. We have baked all types of breads but this, by far, is my favorite. It has the right amount of sweetness and the softest center that makes you want more. For all of you fitness people, these rolls are considered good carbohydrates ;-)

I wanted a roll with the following characteristics:

Combination of soft and sweet
Easy to make at home
Somewhat on the healthy side

We made this bread in class and it was perfect. My next step was to try it at home and on the first try, VOILA!. It was perfection. The bread baked well and tasted fantastic.

In this instructable, I am going to share my easy crunchy oat rolls recipe and all tips to get you fantastic results.

Happy Baking!

Step 1: Mise En Place - Tools + Ingredients

Tools

Mixing bowl (with lid or use saran wrap)
Wax paper
Half sheet baking pan
Stand mixer, bowl, dough hook attachment
Scale
Large container
Spray bottle

Ingredients

Water (.243 kg)
Instant yeast (.010 kg)
Whole wheat flour (.09 kg)
Rolled oats (.07 kg)
Milk (.062 kg)
Honey (.051 kg)
Butter (.045 kg)
Maple syrup (.04 kg)
All-purpose flour (.40 kg)
Salt (.012 kg)

Crunchy Oat Topping

All-purpose flour (1/3 cup)
Rolled oats (1/3 cup)
Salt (1/8 tsp)
Cinnamon (1 tsp)
Brown sugar (1/2 c)
Butter, melted & cooled (2 oz)

*** NOTE: Recipe makes 18 rolls.

Step 2: Yeast + Water

There is no need to bloom the yeast in warm water since we are using instant yeast and not active dry. It is just a good habit for me to mix the yeast with water first (since I work with a lot of yeast breads). So, for this step, let's go head and make sure the yeast is dissolved completely in the water.

Step 3: Develop Yeast Paste

Combine the whole wheat flour and the rolled oats (not the portion for the crunchy topping) into the bowl with the yeast and water. Mix to thoroughly combine. Mixture will be slightly wet. Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add Sweeteners + Fat

Next, add all of the milk, honey, butter (make sure butter is 60 degrees), and maple syrup. Mix on low speed just to ensure all ingredients are combined. Once mixed, you will notice how soupy the mixture has become. No worries, we will pull it together in the next two steps when we add the remaining ingredients and develop the dough.

Step 5: Add Final Flour + Salt

As previously mentioned, we will now turn that 'soup' into actual dough.

Here, add the all-purpose flour and salt.

Ready for the magic?!

Step 6: Develop the Dough

Turn your stand mixer to speed one for 3 minutes. Notice how its beginning to come together? Let's kick it up a notch and turn the speed to two for an additional 2 minutes. See how the dough has cleaned the bowl and developed into a nice ball? Told you it was magic :)

Step 7: Fermentation

Now, let's give our dough some time to ferment. There will be no folding this dough. (Whew!!!) Place the ball of dough in a bowl (I used stainless steel) and cover with saran wrap if you do not have a lid. Allow the dough to ferment for 45 minutes. It may sound like a long time to wait but grab a glass of wine and relax. When preparing bread, the toughest part is the wait time. Let's move on...

Step 8: Shape + Proof

That wasn't so bad was it? Those 45 minutes flew by...

Now, let's check our bread...

Wooooooow! See how much she has grown?!

Now, let's shape her into 18 rolls weighing 2 ounces each. Line your baking pan with parchment paper and place rolls onto your baking pan almost touching.

Place your pan of rolls into the oven. WAIT!!! DO NOT TURN THE OVEN ON! It's not time to bake yet, we are only about to proof. I bet you didn't know you can proof bread at home? Well, read on...

Make sure your pan of rolls are situated in the center of the oven. Boil a pot of water and sit on the bottom of the oven. I used a plastic container (as shown). Remember to close the oven door, DUH! Bread needs humidity to proof. Give it about 30 minutes.

Step 9: Decorate - Crunchy Oat Topping

Wow! Look how much you've grown!

Remove the pan of rolls (and the water, before you forget) from the oven. Let's go ahead and preheat the oven to 360 degrees (if you haven't already).

Now, for the topping:

Combine all ingredients for the 'crunchy oat topping', spray the rolls with water and begin applying the topping to the rolls.