Wheat Buns

Is anything better than fresh, homemade bread (or any bread-like product) coming from your oven? Ummm...no! Definitely not! I don't care if it is bread, bread sticks, buns, rolls, kolaches, pretty much any yeast-y/flour-y product that is concocted in your kitchen and perfectly transformed in your oven will fit the bill! It will leave your entire kitchen, no-house smelling divine! But of course, if the yeasty goodness is good for you as well-it is double-ly enjoyable!

I can guarantee that these homemade dinner wheat buns will fit both bills! They are soft, warm, fluffy, AND nutritious! Almost too good to be true...almost... (but thankfully for both of us they are true and can be all yours when you create them in your own kitchen!)

Do not be put off by the long-ish list of ingredients or steps...they are very simple to make (fool-proof obviously if I can handle them!) and oh so worth it!

Ingredients: 

1 2/3 cups warm water

3 TBSP powdered milk

1/2 cup shortening (or butter) melted

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 tsp. salt

2 small eggs

2 pkg. yeast

1/2 cup potato flakes

6 (at least) cups flour

Here's what you do:

1. Combine the warm water with the yeast to proof (this ensures your yeast will work for you!)

2. Add the melted (but NOT scorching hot shortening/butter, powdered milk, brown sugar and salt

3. Mix well (in stand mixer preferably)

4. Add eggs and mix until they are incorporated 

5. Add potato flakes; let sit undisturbed for 3 minutes

6. Begin adding flour a little at a time (if using a stand mixer switch to your kneading paddle after about 2 cups have been added); if you are going to knead by hand only mix in about 3-4 cups of flour before starting to knead in the rest by hand

7. Place in a greased bowl and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour)

8. Punch down

9. Shape into desired sizes/shapes (rolls...bread sticks..buns...whatever you'd like!)

10. Place in a greased baking dish, cover and let rise another hour

11. When risen (about doubled) place in oven

12. Turn oven to 350* (yes, your wheat buns will be in there while the oven heats up-that's what we want!)

13. Once oven has reached 350* your rolls will stay in for about 10 more minutes or until they are golden brown

14. Remove from oven, let cool about 5 minutes before removing from pan and ENJOY!

Oh my... these are so light and fluffy, you will probably mistake them and start thinking you're eating a cloud...

Nutritional Info (for 1/32 of recipe-makes a good sized dinner bun)