Soft Philadelphia-Style Hoagie Rolls with Poolish and Yudane
These homemade hoagie rolls combine a flavorful poolish with the Yudane method to create a soft, chewy roll that stays fresh longer. They are sturdy enough to hold cheese-steak fillings while remaining tender and easy to bite. I know this is not a traditional Philly approved roll.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword baking, chewy, homemade, soft rolls
Servings 312" rolls
Ingredients
Poolish
200gramsflourAll Trumps
200gramswater
1.5gramsactive dry yeast
5gramssugar
Yudane
50gramsflourAll Trumps
50gramswaterboiling
Final Dough
All of the prepared poolish
All of the prepared Yudane
250grams250 grams All Trumps flour
30grams30 grams water
1eachegglarge, optional
20gramsolive oilextra-virgin
10gramssalt
Additional Water When Omitting the Egg
40gramswater
Use either:
* **Egg version:** 1 large egg and 30 grams final-dough water
* **Egg-free version:** No egg and 70 grams total final-dough water
Instructions
This recipe is formulated for All Trumps flour, a malted high-gluten flour. No additional diastatic malt powder, amylase enzyme, or ascorbic acid is necessary when using this flour.
When using an unmalted bread flour or all-purpose flour, you may add:
* 2–3 grams diastatic malt powder
* 0.25–0.5 gram ascorbic acid
Prepare the Yudane
Place 50 grams of flour in a heat-safe bowl.
Pour 50 grams of freshly boiling water over the flour. Stir immediately until all the flour is hydrated and a thick paste forms.
Cover the Yudane directly against its surface and allow it to cool. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
The Yudane may be prepared the day before making the dough.
Prepare the Poolish
Combine the poolish flour, water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Stir until no dry flour remains.
Cover and ferment at room temperature.
At approximately 70–74°F:
* **Minimum fermentation:** 3 hours
* **Recommended fermentation:** 4–6 hours
* **Maximum fermentation:** Approximately 8 hours, provided the poolish has not collapsed
The poolish is ready when it has expanded, developed bubbles across the surface, and formed a slightly domed top that is just beginning to flatten.
Do not wait until the poolish has completely collapsed or become watery.
Make the Final Dough
Tear the chilled Yudane into several small pieces so it will disperse more easily in the dough.
Add the poolish, Yudane, 250 grams of flour, approximately half of the final-dough water, and the optional egg to the mixer.
When making the egg-free version, use 70 grams of total final-dough water, but hold approximately half of it back initially.
Mix at low speed, approximately 200 rpm, for 2 minutes or until a rough dough forms.
Add the salt.
Gradually add the remaining water while mixing. Allow each addition to become incorporated before adding more.
Slowly add the olive oil.
Increase the mixer speed to approximately 300 rpm and continue mixing until the Yudane is completely dispersed and the dough is smooth, elastic, and moderately well developed.
The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but should not be runny or excessively sticky. Add up to 5–15 grams of additional water if the dough remains unusually stiff.
Bulk Fermentation
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container and cover it.
Allow the dough to bulk ferment at room temperature for 30 minutes.
## Divide and Preshape
Divide the dough into three equal portions.
Each piece should weigh approximately:
* 288–290 grams when using the egg
* 285–286 grams without the egg
Preshape each piece into a short log.
Cover and allow the dough to rest for 10–15 minutes.
Shape the Rolls
Gently flatten one portion of dough into a rectangle.
Roll the dough tightly into a cylinder, sealing the seam after each turn. Continue rolling and gently stretching until the roll is approximately 12 inches long.
Create a smooth, tight outer surface without tearing the dough.
Repeat with the remaining portions.
Place the shaped rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a hoagie-roll pan.
Add the Topping
Lightly brush or mist the rolls with water.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or another desired topping. A light dusting of cornmeal may also be used on the bottom of the rolls.
Proof and Refrigerate
Cover the shaped rolls and allow them to proof at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
Place the covered rolls in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours.
The rolls should remain covered during refrigeration so their surfaces do not dry out.
Bake
Remove the rolls from the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 450°F.
If desired, make one shallow lengthwise score along the top of each roll immediately before baking.
Bake for 12–16 minutes, or until the rolls are evenly golden brown.
The internal temperature should reach approximately 195–200°F.
Avoid underbaking, as the Yudane increases the amount of moisture retained inside the rolls.
Cool and Store
Transfer the rolls to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before slicing or storing.
For a softer crust, loosely cover the warm rolls with a clean kitchen towel while they cool.
Once completely cool, place the rolls in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container.
Store at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls rather than refrigerating them. Refrigeration causes bread to stale more quickly.
To refresh a roll, lightly mist it with water and warm it in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes.
Notes
Dough weight:** Approximately 285–290 grams per roll **Bake temperature:** 450°F **Bake time:** 12–16 minutes
Soft Philadelphia-Style Hoagie Rolls with Poolish and Yudane
These homemade hoagie rolls combine a flavorful poolish with the Yudane method to create a soft, chewy roll that stays fresh longer. They are sturdy enough to hold cheesesteak fillings while remaining tender and easy to bite.Yield: 3 approximately 12-inch rolls Dough weight: Approximately 285–290 grams per roll Bake temperature: 450°F Bake time: 12–16 minutes
Ingredients
Poolish
200 grams All Trumps flour
200 grams water
1.5 grams active dry yeast
5 grams sugar
Yudane
50 grams All Trumps flour
50 grams boiling water
Final Dough
All of the prepared poolish
All of the prepared Yudane
250 grams All Trumps flour
30 grams water
1 large egg, optional
20 grams extra-virgin olive oil
10 grams salt
Additional Water When Omitting the Egg
40 grams additional water
Use either:
Egg version: 1 large egg and 30 grams final-dough water
Egg-free version: No egg and 70 grams total final-dough water
Keep an additional 5–15 grams of water available in case the dough feels unusually stiff.
Optional Topping
Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Cornmeal
Water for brushing
Flour Note
This recipe is formulated for All Trumps flour, a malted high-gluten flour. No additional diastatic malt powder, amylase enzyme, or ascorbic acid is necessary when using this flour.When using an unmalted bread flour or all-purpose flour, you may add:
2–3 grams diastatic malt powder
0.25–0.5 gram ascorbic acid
Do not substitute citric acid for ascorbic acid. Citric acid does not strengthen the dough in the same way.
Prepare the Yudane
Place 50 grams of flour in a heat-safe bowl.Pour 50 grams of freshly boiling water over the flour. Stir immediately until all the flour is hydrated and a thick paste forms.Cover the Yudane directly against its surface and allow it to cool. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.The Yudane may be prepared the day before making the dough.
Prepare the Poolish
Combine the poolish flour, water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Stir until no dry flour remains.Cover and ferment at room temperature.At approximately 70–74°F:
Minimum fermentation: 3 hours
Recommended fermentation: 4–6 hours
Maximum fermentation: Approximately 8 hours, provided the poolish has not collapsed
The poolish is ready when it has expanded, developed bubbles across the surface, and formed a slightly domed top that is just beginning to flatten.Do not wait until the poolish has completely collapsed or become watery.
Make the Final Dough
Tear the chilled Yudane into several small pieces so it will disperse more easily in the dough.Add the poolish, Yudane, 250 grams of flour, approximately half of the final-dough water, and the optional egg to the mixer.When making the egg-free version, use 70 grams of total final-dough water, but hold approximately half of it back initially.Mix at low speed, approximately 200 rpm, for 2 minutes or until a rough dough forms.Add the salt.Gradually add the remaining water while mixing. Allow each addition to become incorporated before adding more.Slowly add the olive oil.Increase the mixer speed to approximately 300 rpm and continue mixing until the Yudane is completely dispersed and the dough is smooth, elastic, and moderately well developed.The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but should not be runny or excessively sticky. Add up to 5–15 grams of additional water if the dough remains unusually stiff.
Bulk Fermentation
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container and cover it.Allow the dough to bulk ferment at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Divide and Preshape
Divide the dough into three equal portions.Each piece should weigh approximately:
288–290 grams when using the egg
285–286 grams without the egg
Preshape each piece into a short log.Cover and allow the dough to rest for 10–15 minutes.
Shape the Rolls
Gently flatten one portion of dough into a rectangle.Roll the dough tightly into a cylinder, sealing the seam after each turn. Continue rolling and gently stretching until the roll is approximately 12 inches long.Create a smooth, tight outer surface without tearing the dough.Repeat with the remaining portions.Place the shaped rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a hoagie-roll pan.
Add the Topping
Lightly brush or mist the rolls with water.Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or another desired topping. A light dusting of cornmeal may also be used on the bottom of the rolls.
Proof and Refrigerate
Cover the shaped rolls and allow them to proof at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.Place the covered rolls in the refrigerator for 12–24 hours.The rolls should remain covered during refrigeration so their surfaces do not dry out.
Bake
Remove the rolls from the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 450°F.If desired, make one shallow lengthwise score along the top of each roll immediately before baking.Bake for 12–16 minutes, or until the rolls are evenly golden brown.The internal temperature should reach approximately 195–200°F.Avoid underbaking, as the Yudane increases the amount of moisture retained inside the rolls.
Cool and Store
Transfer the rolls to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before slicing or storing.For a softer crust, loosely cover the warm rolls with a clean kitchen towel while they cool.Once completely cool, place the rolls in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container.Store at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls rather than refrigerating them. Refrigeration causes bread to stale more quickly.To refresh a roll, lightly mist it with water and warm it in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes.