Homemade Hamburger Buns

With bbq/grilling season here, we've been enjoying outdoor dining more regularly taking advantage of the cool evenings. And hamburgers are always a good idea. As a bread lover, I thought it would be a great idea to make my own hamburger buns and they proved to be much easier than I expected. I made these for Memorial Day weekend and they were a big hit. Definitely so much better than the store-bought kind!Homemade Hamburger Buns3/4 to 1 cup lukewarm water2 tablespoons butter1 large egg3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour1/4 cup sugar1 1/4 teaspoons salt1 tablespoon instant yeast*For best results (a smooth, slightly soft dough), use the smaller amount of water in summer (or in a humid environment), the greater amount in winter (or in a dry climate); and something in between the rest of the time.Toppings:3 tablespoons melted butter, divided {half before baking and the other half after baking}sesame seeds {before baking, optional; see tip below}1. Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients — by hand, mixer, or bread machine — to make a soft, smooth dough.2. Cover the dough, and let it rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it's nearly doubled in bulk.3. Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into 8 pieces. If you want medium-sized buns, divide into 12 pieces. For "slider buns" divide the dough into 24 pieces, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Shape each piece into a round ball and flatten. Place the buns on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until noticeably puffy.4. Brush the buns with about half of the melted butter. For seeded buns, brush with the egg wash; it'll make the seeds adhere. And, feel free to add the extra yolk to the dough, reserving the white for the wash.5. Bake the buns in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes {adjust the time according to size of buns}, until golden. Remove them from the oven, and brush with the remaining melted butter. This will give the buns a satiny, buttery crust.6. Cool the buns on a rack.Tip:Brushing buns with melted butter will give them a soft, light golden crust. Brushing with an egg-white wash (1 egg white beaten with 1/4 cup water) will give them a shinier, darker crust.Yields: 8 large buns or 12 medium buns or 24 slider bunsrecipe via King Arthur

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HomeGoods Blue & White Platter {similar options here} | Williams Sonoma Melamine Plates | Sur La Table Napkins, sold out {Placemats here} | Williams Sonoma Spreader {on sale}

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