Homemade Buns

These do take some time and effort. But it makes for a killer bun! We've only used it for Sloppy Joe's so far, but I plan to try it with hamburgers VERY soon. They are absolutely WONDERFUL! I got this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, which is a beautiful food blog.

HOME-MADE BUNS

Makes 8 burger buns

3 T. warm milk

2 tsp. active dry yeast

2 1/2 T. sugar

2 large eggs

3 c. bread flour

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/2 T. unsalted butter, softened

Sesame seeds (optional)

In a glass measuring cup, combine one cup warm water, the milk, yeast and sugar. Let stand until foamy, about five minutes. Meanwhile, beat ONE egg.

In a large bowl, whisk flours with salt. Add butter and rub into flour between your fingers, making crumbs. Stir in yeast mixture and beaten egg until a dough forms. Scrape dough onto clean, well-floured counter and knead, 8-10 minutes. The dough will be on the sticky, this is on purpose!

Shape dough into a ball and return it to bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1-2 hours. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide dough into 8 equal parts. Gently roll each into a ball and arrange two to three inches apart on baking sheet. Cover loosely with a piece of plastic wrap lightly coated in nonstick spray and let buns rise in a warm place for one hour.

Set a large shallow pan of water on oven floor. Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center. Beat remaining egg with one tablespoon water and brush some on top of buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using. Bake 15 minutes, turning sheet halfway through baking, until tops are golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.