Bountiful Buns

Introduction:

Bread can be kind of intimidating if you haven't tried it out yet, but it's really not as scary as it sounds. In fact, it's just another branch of our kitchen alchemy tree! This base can be customized and is much cheaper and better tasting than store bought. I don't have to make a special trip to the store for buns, even better.

Even Kronos, dear hubby, has declared these buns a favorite and requests meals with it often.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Warm Water

• 1 Packet Active Dry Yeast

• 2  Tbsp sugar

• 1 Large Egg

• 2 Tbsp Butter -softened-

• 3/4 tsp Salt

• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour

• Nonstick Cooking Spray

Egg Wash

• 1 Egg

• 1 Tbsp Water

Topping

• Sesame Seeds (optional)

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl

• Spoon

• Baking Sheet

• Cooling Rack

• Pastry Brush

• Oiled Bowl

• Kitchen Towels

What to do:

Step 1

Add yeast and sugar to warm water and stir. Set aside 5-10 minutes until bubbly.

Step 2

Mix in egg, butter and salt.

Step 3

Stir in flour, one cup at a time.

Step 4

Lightly flour your work area and hands and knead the dough until it's smooth.

Step 5

Oil a bowl and turn dough in it until coated. Cover with a kitchen towel for 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Step 6

Give it a quick knead to get it pliable again, and shape into 8-10 balls. Spray your cooking sheets with nonstick spray, and place the buns.  Gently press down on each ball of dough to create a flat top. Cover with the towels again and rest for 40 minutes.

Step 7

Once done with rest, mix egg white and 2 Tbsp water together. This is your eggwash. Brush it over buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. (optional)

Step 8

Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Rotate pan halfway through. If you are using 2 pans, swap racks when you turn them around too!

Step 9

Brush buns with melted butter (optional), and cool on wire racks until holdable to slice.

Variations:

Try substituting Sesame Seed for:

• Garlic butter

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Red pepper flakes

At the end of the day:

You can flavor this bread however you want. Even better, you can shape this how you want, too! Make it into dinner rolls. Try it as a hotdog/bratwurst bun. How about those hoagies?! This is so versatile, it's sure to be a staple in your kitchen like it is for mine.

'What's your favorite toppings? Let me know in the comments!