Flower and Knot Yeast Rolls – Vegan version

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
2. 2
   Add the lukewarm water, flax eggs and oil and Knead about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
3. 3
   Cover and Let rise about an hour and a half in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

To assemble

1. 4
   Divide the dough into balls of about 2 oz each: cut it with a bench scraper and roll each piece under your palm into a smooth ball.

   Bench scraperKitchen scale

   💡Balls of equal weight bake in the same time: weigh the dough and divide it by weight, not by eye.
2. 5
   Shape some of the balls into flowers: divide each ball into 6 small balls, place one in the center and arrange the other five snugly around it, so they join into one flower as they rise. Shape the rest of the balls into knots: roll each ball into a 25 cm rope, tie a loose knot and tuck one end through the center from the top and the other from the bottom.
3. 6
   Place the rolls on parchment paper on a baking sheet, with space between each roll.

   Baking panParchment paper

   💡Leave space between the balls: they grow as they rise and in the oven, and when crowded they stick together and bake pale at the sides.
4. 7
   Cover and Let rise another 40 minutes, until the rolls have risen.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
5. 8
   Preheat the oven to 185°C (365°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
6. 9
   Beat the yolk with the water and brush the rolls with it.

   Pastry brush
7. 10
   Bake 16–20 minutes, until the rolls are golden.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.