Bread-Maker Burger Buns

For dinner last night I knew we were going to be busy since we had to turn in our cars for the Pinewood Derby coming up and I had everything I needed for Hamburgers except for buns.  Since I really wanted to wait until today to go shopping since the commissary isn't open on Monday's I thought I could whip some up really quick.  If you don't utilize the dough cycle on your Bread Maker, check it out.  It is an easy way to get homemade bread in your house!

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Bread-maker Burger Buns

1 cup warm milk (85-95 F)

2 Tbsp melted butter

1 egg at room temperature

3 1/4 cups bread flour (you can just use all purpose flour if you don't have bread flour)

1 tsp kosher salt

3 Tbsp sugar

2 1/2 tsp breadmachine yeast

1 Tbsp melted butter to brush the tops

Add the sugar and salt to the pan.  In a small bowl mix the milk, butter, and egg, then add all at once to the bread pan.  The flour goes in next, then the yeast goes in last.  When I add my flour I don't use a completely full cup I lightly scoop and shake it level instead of using a knife.  By using just a little less flour, you get a nice soft lighter dough.  Start the dough cycle and go do whatever you need to do for about 1 1/2 hours.

When the cycle is complete.  Grease a large bowl (plastic or glass), I use shortening.  Dump the dough from the pan removing the little hook into the bowl.  Punch down and shape into a ball.  Turn to coat with the grease, cover with a towel and leave it for about 45 minutes.  You do not have to do this second rise but your patience will be rewarded if you do.  If you skip the second rise move directly to the next step.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Lightly flour your work surface.  Roll out your dough about 1/2" thick and cut with a glass.  One batch made 12 buns for me.  You can cut them smaller and make slider buns if you want... Place buns on a greased baking sheet, cover and let rise 30-45 minutes.  Remove the towel and use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the buns with 1 Tbsp of melted butter.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until nice and golden brown.  Cool.  Don't cut them until right before you are going to use them, you don't want them to dry out.

Slice in half and serve.  Or slice in half and toast cut side down in a 400 F oven for about 5 minutes until beautiful and crispy.