Quick and Easy Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

When I saw that this month's Twelve Loaves challenge was to do something basic, I actually got really excited! Sometimes I get so caught up in "What crazy elaborate hard thing can I attempt next?!?!?!" that some of the really basic things that I want to try get left on the back-back-back burner. So this month I finally tried my hand at making homemade hamburger buns! I wanted something super easy and simple. Not fussy in any way. 

These buns are super fast to make - taking only about 40 minutes start to finish. They are soft and chewy and slightly dense. And they had great flavor! I might never buy store bought hamburger buns again, these were just so darn good and so darn easy! A few of them grew a couple of scraggy cracks in areas, but this will just showcase how awesome and homemade they are, right?

Quick and Easy Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (slightly adapted from Taste of Home) Yields 6 big buns

2 TBSP active dry yeast

1 cup + 2 TBSP warm water (110-115 degrees)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp salt

2.5 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

In a large bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water.

Add the oil and sugar; let stand 5 minutes.

Add the egg, salt, the whole wheat flour and enough of the all purpose flor to form a soft dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 3-5 minutes).

Divide into 6 pieces and shape each piece into a ball.

Preheat oven to 425F.

Place 3" apart on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.

Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove to wire racks to cool. 

** Optional: before placing the buns in the oven you can brush egg white on top and sprinkle some sesame seeds or dried onion flakes on top.