(Hamburger) Buns

Another homemade recipe. It's getting easier and easier to avoid buying pre-packaged products from the grocery store!!!

Tonight's dinner was BBQ hamburgers on fresh baked buns. Yum! Here's the recipe for 12 buns. (I want to quickly mention that lately when I have been making bread or buns, I rarely follow a recipe and just throw things together (whatever is on hand). Now that I have a good feel for bread, it works most of the time. I will post the recipes that I feel are worth sharing! With that said - yes....these are originals!!! Also, if you look back at my original step-by-step bread recipe, I mentioned that you should leave your preferment over night. If you ever forget the night before, just start it in the morning. The longer you leave it the better (12-16 hours ideal), but even if you can get it started an hour or two before you start the bread process, it really helps. On the contrary, if you make the preferment and then don't end up baking, you can pop it in the fridge (covered) and use the next day. Good luck and happy baking!).

Hamburger Buns

• Preferment:
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 3/4 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 cup AP flour
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2-2 1/2 cups AP flour
• 3/4 tsp dry active yeast
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Make your preferment 1-16 hours before starting bread process (*keep covered).
2. Remove cover from preferment and carefully add 2 cups flour and all other ingredients to same bowl. Begin to knead with mixer or hands. Add more flour if needed (dough should be slightly sticky. If you need more liquid, add a bit of milk).
3. After kneading for 5-7 minutes, form dough into ball, lightly oil and place back in bowl and then in microwave to proof (see tips/instructions on step-by-step recipe). Proof for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, until double in bulk.
4. Remove dough (in bowl) from microwave and carefully pour onto counter. Divide and lightly shape into 12 balls. Place dough balls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle w/ sesame seeds, if desired.
5. Place cookie sheet back in microwave to proof, uncovered, for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled. After first 20 minutes, turn oven on to 450 degrees.
6. When dough has doubled, place directly in preheated oven and immediately turn temp down to 400 degrees. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly browned.
7. Immediately after removing buns from oven, lightly brush with butter (this will soften them). Let cool (slightly or completely) and serve. Enjoy!