Tom-Burgaler Buns

This is a recipe for hamburger buns appropriately named after Tom the "Ham Burgaler". If you have the time, they definitely will be a  crowd pleaser at your next BBQ. 

Prep time: 25 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 2 hours, 40 mins

Makes: 8 buns

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 to 1 cup lukewarm water

2 tbsp butter

1 large egg

3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp instant yeast

3 tablespoons melted butter, for topping

DIRECTIONS:

Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients — by hand, mixer, or bread machine — to make a soft, smooth dough. Cover the dough, and let it rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it's nearly doubled in bulk.

Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball; flatten to about 3" across. Place the buns on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until noticeably puffy.  Brush the buns with about half of the melted butter.

 Bake the buns in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Remove them from the oven, and brush with the remaining melted butter. This will give the buns a satiny, buttery crust. Cool the buns on a rack.

*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.