Homemade Hamburger Buns

 They're beautiful.  They're easy.  And once you start making your own, you won't be able to choke down those store bought things ever again.  lol  The last time I was at the store, the price of a brand name bag of buns (8)  was almost 3 dollars !  (Another reason I make my own. The cost of making them is about  a buck for 12.)

 This is an older picture than the ones I made yesterday. I didn't get any pictures, because I was taking them to a bbq and the oven decided to be difficult and wouldn't light FOREVER...we wound up being late and I had a little trouble with the bottoms getting too browned.  I'm afraid a new oven is on the horizon. OR--I will be really motivated to get my cob oven built this summer. Or both.

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  Okay-- I use the bread machine to make these babies. That works best for me, because it does such a better job of kneading for a prolonged period of time than my old hands can manage. I use the dough setting, of course and it gets the job done.  You can also shape this dough into hotdog buns if you need those too. It makes about a dozen really good sized buns or 16 smaller ones. I usually make 12.


  Ingredients:

  1 1/4 cups milk, slightly warmed
  1 beaten egg
  2 tbsp. butter
  1/4 cup white sugar
  3/4 tsp salt
  3 3/4  cups bread flour
  1/4 cup raw wheat germ
  1 1/4 tsp yeast


 Directions:

  Place your ingredients in the pan of your bread machine according to instructions.  I always put the liquids in first, then the butter and then the rest.  Select the dough setting on the machine.  Go sip a pina colada on the patio.   :)


  When the cycle is complete (mine is about an hour and a half), turn the dough out onto a floured surface.  Cut the dough in half, and roll each half out to 1 inch thick circle.  Cut each circle into 3 1/2 inch rounds (I use a floured drinking glass). Place on a greased baking sheet (or parchment paper) , at least 3 inches apart, and brush with melted butter.  Cover and let them rise until they are doubled in size...about an hour, maybe a little more.

  Bake at 350 degrees  for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.  They are delightful.

  Let me know if you try them...everyone at the get together last night raved about them.  I know we love them.  And you can make them more whole grain-ey if you want. Just replace some of the white flour with whole wheat (not more than a cup), or add some Bob's Red Mill 7 grain cereal to the dough.


Bon Apetit !