Homemade Hot Dog Buns

 

4 cups flour

1 cup water

1 cup milk

1 1/2 tablespoon yeast

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water and 2 tablespoon sugar. Let foam.

Combine milk, butter, and salt. To yeast mixture add 4 cups flour one cup at a time. Add milk. Stir until dough forms. Let rise 1 hour. Divide into 8 pieces and shape into hot dog buns. Place on cookie sheet. Let rise 20 minutes. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

A thought on homemade. Yes. Yes. I realize that this is a recipe for white rolls. However, if you look at the ingredients of store bought wheat hot dog buns in comparison it is a shocker. Aside from the fact that most ingredients are near impossible to pronounce, the sheer number of them is astounding. I counted a whopping 28 ingredients compared to my homemade bun recipe that has six not including water. Unbelievable. Not to mention the taste. Hello!

Granted it's a little extra work, but it is so worth it. Buns just taste better when they are homemade.

A note on hot dogs: I don't even want to talk about it! We buy the nation's number one rated hot dog, Nathan's or all beef Ball Park Franks. Grill em. Put them on a soft, warm, delicious bun and I will wager, you will never taste a better hot dog in your life. Ever!

Homemade Pretzels

3 cups flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cup water

2 tablespoon water

2 1/4 teaspoon yeast

1 tablespoon baking soda

coarse salt

1. Dissolve yeast in 2 Tablespoons water. Add 1 1/3 cups water and brown sugar. Add flour gradually to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic.

2. Pinch off golf ball size portions and hand roll into long ropes. Shape. Dip each rope into a bowl of simmering water with 1 tablespoon baking soda dissolved in it. Shake off excess moisture.

3. Place on greased cookie sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in 450 degree oven for 5 minutes. Serve with homemade honey butter. (Recipe follows)

Honey Butter

1/2 cup softened butter

1/4 cup marshmallow fluff

1/4 cup honey

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

2. Serve with pretzels. 

 

Homemade pretzels are remarkably easy and quick. Kids love to make shapes with the dough. This is fun for children and the bonus is they get to eat what they help make. 

I love homemade, hot bread that I can make in a snap. The chewy texture with a crisp, salty outer layer is what I like most about pretzels as well as dipping them in mustard, honey butter, or marinara.