Soft Shabbat Rolls – Vegan version

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast and the sugar in the lukewarm unsweetened soy milk and leave about 5 minutes, until the mixture foams.

   💡If the mixture doesn't foam in that time, the yeast is no longer active, or the water was too hot. Start over with fresh yeast and body-temperature water.
2. 2
   Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
3. 3
   Add the yeast mixture, the flax egg and the butter and Knead about 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.

   ⚙ 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.
4. 4
   Cover and Let rise 1 hour 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. 5
   Divide the dough into 20 equal balls: 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. 6
   Set the balls close together in a parchment-lined pan so each ball touches its neighbors.

   Baking panParchment paper

   💡Balls set close together rise into each other and bake into one mass: the sides stay soft and pale, and the rolls are pulled apart for serving.
3. 7
   Cover and Let rise another 30 minutes, until the rolls have risen.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
4. 8
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°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.
5. 9
   Brush the rolls with the beaten flax egg, drizzle the olive oil on top.

   Pastry brush

   💡The flax egg gives the rolls a shiny golden crust, and seeds sprinkled on it stick to it.
6. 10
   Bake 20–22 minutes, until the rolls are golden.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

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