Sourdough Sandwich Buns (Schlotzsky Style)

Galley Wench's Note:

While searching the web looking for Schlotzsky's Sourdough Bread recipe I came across this on King Arthur's site. I think it's very close to the roll that they use on their original muffaletta sandwich. They are scrumptious and so easy to make! They're somewhere between a roll and an english muffin. Note that their direction require baking in english muffin rings (or similar).

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8 Buns

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1/2 cup water, approximately
• 1 cup sourdough starter, refreshed
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup dried whole milk
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 egg
• cornmeal (for dusting)

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together -- by hand, mixer, or in a bread machine or food processor -- just until the dough comes together; it will remain slightly sticky and soft.
2. Remove dough from bowl onto a well-floured surface, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Roll the dough into a 16 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch rectangle approximately 1/3 to 1/2-inch thick.
4. Cut it into eight 3 3/4-inch (approximately) circles.
5. Dust a baking sheet with cornmeal; grease the English muffin rings (or other round, metal rings approximately 3 3/4 inches in diameter), and place them on the baking sheet.
6. Fill each ring with a piece of dough; sprinkle the tops with cornmeal.
7. Place a baking sheet on top of the rings and dough, and let the buns rise for 40 minutes.
8. Bake the buns in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until they're lightly browned top and bottom.
9. Remove them from the oven.
10. After cooling for 10 minutes, remove rings move to wire rack.

Reviews

[Susie D]

I have had this recipe saved forever, but didn't have the starter. I finally made a batch of Sourdough Bread Starter in order to have starter ready for the RSC contest recipes & used this recipe for my first try with it. The buns are fantastic! I can only imagine how good they will be as my starter ages. They are light, fluffy in texture, but still a good hoagie bun and bake up beautifully. Schlotzskys is my husband's favorite sandwich so he was very happy & has already requested more buns. I didn't bother with the rings and simply handformed the dough into approx 6" buns. They were terrific loaded with olive spread, ham, salami, & 2 cheeses. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

[Red Apple Guy]

I make a very similar recipe for buns. Love it.