Boatie Buns

Nothing says summer like hotdogs on the barbecue. And nothing turns a fine hotdog into a gourmet delight like a fresh, soft, light hotdog bun.

When I went looking for hotdog buns recently in Hoonah, Alaska, I found a package of eight whole wheat buns. They were at their best-before date and cost US$9. So I went in search online for a recipe I might have success with, unlike the previous ones I tried which produced buns that were dense and hard.

My homemade hotdog buns were excellent. I may never buy buns off a store shelf again. I made then without the sugar, but you might want to add sugar to improve the rising time. I tweaked it to include instant yeast so it is not at all time consuming, and the kneading required is minimal.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2¾ cups flour, divided into 2½ and ¼ cup portions (bread flour is probably best, but all-purpose flour works fine, as well)
• 1 cup warm milk (warm to touch, but not hot or the yeast will be killed)
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 2 eggs, one added to dough, one used for an egg wash

In a large bowl combine the yeast, sugar and salt with 2 ½ cups of the flour.

Add the milk, egg and melted butter to the dry ingredients and combine well to form a shaggy dough. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface or a silicone baking sheet. Knead for a few minutes, adding the remaining ¼ cup flour, but no more. Too much flour will make them dry.

Return dough to the bowl, cover and let rise 30 minutes. Punch it down and cut it into eight equal-sized pieces. With a rolling pin, shape each piece out to an oval pancake, then roll it up like a jellyroll, pinch seam and place seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave space between them to allow for expanding. Beat the other egg and brush it over the formed buns.

Cover again and let sit for about 20 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350F-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before slicing them open, as they continue to cook for a bit after removing them from the oven.

But I have to say Hoonah, Alaska is an amazing place. Don’t judge it by its hotdogs buns!