Kittencal's Sub/Sandwich Buns

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

This dough is an absolute pleasure to work with, it makes the best sub buns but of coarse you can use this dough for whatever you like, this dough also freezes well after the first rise and the baked buns also freeze well --- I like to add in 1 teaspoon malt powder to the flour mixture but that is only optional, it works with the yeast to improve flavor and texture of the dough and also improves the flavor somewhat.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 6 large b ...

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons dry yeast (use 2 tablespoons yeast, even 1-3/4 tbsp will do fine)
• 1/4 cup Crisco shortening, melted
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (can reduce to 1 teaspoon)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)

Directions:

1. Prepare a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with a kneader attachment.
2. Place about 3-1/2 cups flour in the bowl.
3. Melt the shortening in the microwave; add to the bowl with the flour.
4. In a measuring cup, measure out 1 cup milk, then add in 4 tablespoons sugar and the salt; heat until quite warm in the microwave, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt.
5. Pour the milk into the bowl with the melted shortening and flour; cover the bowl with a towel to keep ingredients warm.
6. Proof the yeast in a 3/4 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar for about 8-10 minutes or until foamy.
7. After proofing, add to the bowl and start kneading for about 3-4 minutes, then add in more flour as needed to create a soft semi-sticky dough, knead about 8 more minutes until smooth.
8. Place the dough on a very lightly floured counter or board; let rest for 5-10 minutes, covered with a clean tea towel.
9. Grease a large bowl, then place the dough into bowl to rise in a warm place for about 50-60 minutes (because of the amount of yeast, the dough should take a shorter rising time in a warm place).
10. Punch down dough.
11. Cut into pieces (I usually cut into 6 pieces), and shape large balls.
12. Let dough balls rest for about 4 minutes (or just enough time to make shaping easier).
13. Shape the dough into desired length for buns.
14. Sprinkle a large cookie/baking sheet with cornmeal, or lightly grease with cooking spray.
15. Place the long pieces of dough on a baking sheet (shape once again if you need to).
16. Cover and let rise for about 25 minutes, or until doubled.
17. Set oven to 375 degrees.
18. Bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until dark golden brown.
19. If desired after the second rising and just before baking, beat one egg white with 1 teaspoon cold water, then brush on buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Reviews

[Chef #775963]

Fabulous as usual Kitten! Decreased the sugar, increased the salt a touch and added some garlic to the dough! Thanks for the amazing bread! I have been craving some good kaiser rolls! ~*~*~*~*~Update~*~*~*~*~ A friend of mine used to work at Subway and she said that their bread comes in frozen and the way they "flavor" it is by brushing water on the dough and sprinkling with seasonings. I tried that with this dough and I got the same results! I am using this same recipe to mini meatball subs - cutting the bread into "bun size" pieces and using KittenCal's AMAZING meatball recipe. They are a definite hit at work!!!

[Chef #805500]

Very good! I made some substitutions, I used half and half whole wheat flour and white flour, also used oil instead of Crisco (I'm not a big fan of Trans fats) Silk Soy milk instead of the full fat milk. even with all the changes the buns turned out beautifully, definitely a do again

[full tummies]

These are great! I used half whole wheat bread flour and also had to mix in a little extra (white) flour when kneading. I cut mine into 10 pieces and they were perfect for a sandwich.