These are a regular item on our menu. Yes, it’s cheaper to buy those sponges impersonating hot dog buns when they go on sale, but these are goooooood.
And those aren’t.
If you have a bread machine, making your own buns is quick work. Form the dough into rounds if you want hamburger buns.
This recipe is adapted from one in Beth Hensperger’s The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook. Her way is great, but I don’t always have some of the ingredients she lists, so I’ve improvised this way:
Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns
Makes 12
1 1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
6 Tablespoons canola oil
3 Tablespoon sucanat, sugar, or honey
4 cups bread flour
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vital wheat gluten
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
Place all ingredients in bread machine pan according to manufacturer’s instructions. Program for “dough.” When done, divide into 12 equal portions. Form each portion into a flat round for hamburger buns or a thin loaf for hot dog buns. Cover loosely with pastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 15-22 minutes, until lightly browned.
My oven runs hot, so it usually takes less than 15 minutes for these to bake.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you happen to know of a non-dairy substitute for the milk? Do you think water would work? Or juice of some kind? Thanks!
[Reply]
Hmmm…it might. My bread recipe is similar to this, but calls for water instead of milk. The dough might more like sandwich bread instead of a bun, but it might be tolerable. I’d say half or quarter the recipe and try it; see what happens
(You can beat the egg, pour out approx. half of it, and freeze the other half for later.)
[Reply]
Hi there! I’m new to both your blogs and can’t wait to read more:) I have a question, though: what is vital wheat gluten and can you get it in a normal grocery store? Thanks so much!
[Reply]
Jessica Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I have bought it at a number of regular grocery stores including Walmart. It is in the baking aisle and it is a component of wheat that helps make bread fluffy. Thanks for reading. Welcome!
[Reply]
Bonnie Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Thanks, Jessica
I’m currently in the middle of a oamc cooking spree (my first one!) and I just put three batches of your pizza dough in the freezer– so excited to have a month’s worth of meals ready to go! Especially with two boys under two and a med student husband 
[Reply]
Mary Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Bonnie, cooking has become my thing while my husband studies for his step 1 dental boards. I don’t know how you do it with kids too!
BTW I used regular non bleached flour and they look amazing, although I haven’t eaten on yet.
Bonnie Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Oh yes, step one, how I remember that time well! My husband is in his fourth year of med school right now, and will take step two in august. I’m trying to fill the freezer so that there’s one less thing to think about during this crazy time! Hang in there– apparently there should/is an end to all this schooling