To shape kaiser rolls, first press them out into flat disks on a well floured surface. Let them rest, covered, another 5 minutes. Then stretch the dough a bit thinner again and fold pieces up into the center.

Finally press down in the center to seal it up tight.

Place them face down on a sheet pan covered with poppy seeds while they are rising for the final hour.

One could just as well let them rise face up and then spritz them with water and sprinkle the poppy seeds on, but doing it this way prevents the seals from splitting while they rise.