Beautiful Burger Buns

Some people might think that it is a bit extreme to make your own burger buns, but I tell you what.  The taste that homemade buns bring to an ordinary burger or sandwich makes it worth the little amount of time that is needed to make them.  You may be intimidated to make homemade buns because you don’t think you have the proper pan, or maybe you think it calls for special ingredients that you do not have.  Let me put your fears to rest, this recipe calls for no special pan or ingredients which means that anyone can make these homemade buns anytime.  I made these buns in a mini version to go along with the french dip sliders that I made not to long ago but they can be made in any size that fits your needs.  I don’t really  have much else to say about these buns because they speak for themselves.  I just urge you to get off your buns and get into the kitchen soon to mix up a batch of these.

Beautiful Burger Buns

Ingredients
For the buns
3/4 to 1 (6-8 ounces) cup lukewarm water *
2 tablespoons butter
1 large egg
3 1/2 cups (14 3/4 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon instant yeast
for the topping
3 tablespoons melted butter

*For best results (a smooth, slightly soft dough), use the smaller amount of water in summer (or in a humid environment), the greater amount in winter (or in a dry climate); and something in between the rest of the time.

Directions
To make the dough - Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients — by hand, mixer, or bread machine — to make a soft, smooth dough.  Cover the dough, and let it rise until it’s nearly doubled in bulk, approximatel 1 to 2 hours.

To shape the buns  - Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball; flatten to about 3″ across.  To make smaller (slider) buns divide the dough into 12 to 13, 2 ounce pieces and press into 1 1/2 to 2 inch disks.  Place the buns on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until noticeably puffy.  Gently brush the buns with about half of the melted butter.

To bake the buns - Bake the buns in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Remove them from the oven, and brush with the remaining melted butter. This will give the buns a satiny, buttery crust.

~Yields 8 large or 12 small burger buns

Recipe as seen on King Arthur Flour.

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