Hot Dog Buns

I have been making all of our bread products for almost a year now. All, that is, except hot dog buns. For some reason, I just could never get them to turn out right so I continued to buy them. We don't eat hot dogs a whole lot but I still hated buying them. The last time we had them, hubby took one bite and said they were just too disgusting and could I please find a way to make them homemade. Well of course I can, dear. And I did!

The following recipe can be used for either hamburger or hot dog buns. They only change is in how you shape them.

Love these Applegate Farm Beef Hotdogs!

HOMEMADE BUNS

• 1 Cup Milk
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 4 1/2 Cups Flour (you can mix and match but I used all wheat)
• 2 1/4 Tsp. Yeast (or one envelope)
• 1 Tbsp. Raw Honey
• 1 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 1 Egg, beaten well

Heat milk, water, honey and butter in a saucepan until butter is melted. Check temperature and let cool to 120F. If it is hotter than that, it will kill the yeast when you add it. Temper the beaten egg with a little of the heated mixture (so you don't get scrambled eggs. Yuck!) and then mix egg into the liquid. Mix 2 cups flour into the liquid. Keep adding flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough pulls together. I mixed this in my stand mixer and waited for the dough to clean the sides of the bowl. I also kneaded it in the mixer but if you are doing it by hand, dump out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.

Hamburger buns
Divide the dough evenly into 12-16 pieces, depending on how big or small you want your buns.
Shape into smooth balls and place on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Flatten the balls a bit.
Hot dog buns
Roll dough into a long, narrow rectangle. Divide dough into bun sections and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Leave sides touching.

Cover and let dough rise for about 30-35 minutes until they are about doubled in size.
Bake at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes.
If you would like "stuff" on your buns to flavor them, brush beaten egg on the top and sprinkle with minced onion, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, whatever you like, just before you put them into the oven.
These are very tasty buns and infinitely better than store bought!
I found that the hot dog buns are easier to stuff if you split them on the top instead of down the side.
Just one more thing I can cross off my "buy at the store" list!