Homemade Hamburger Buns

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Hamburger buns are the vessels that transport the delicious burger to your mouth and it’s time they got a little attention.  Finding healthy hamburger buns are hard enough but those that I’ve tried are dry and hard.  Not exactly the type of thing I want to eat.  While making your own hamburger buns does take time, it mostly takes patience.  The upside though is that you can double the recipe and make enough buns to freeze for later on!

~Sarah

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2  cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups spelt flour
• 2 tbsp vital wheat gluten, optional (if you don’t have this you can omit it  but it gives the bread a great texture and a better rise so use it if you have it)
• 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp coconut nectar
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• sesame or poppy seeds (optional)

Preparation:

1. Mix the coconut nectar, 1/2 cup warm water and the yeast in a mixing bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes until the mixture starts to froth, indicating the yeast is alive and well.
2. Sift the flours and baking soda into the yeast mixture. Knead by hand or on low speed in a stand mixer for about 3 minutes.
3. As you are kneading slowly add in 1 cup of water until you have a dough that’s smooth but slightly sticky (if you left out the gluten, knead at least 2 more minutes).
4. Add 2 1/2 tbsp oil and continue to knead until the oil has been absorbed by the dough, about 1 more minute.
5. In a large bowl add the remaining 1/2 tbsp oil and gently coat the bowl.
6. Add the dough to the bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel.  Set aside for 2 hours until the dough has risen.
7. Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil and dust with flour, set aside.
8. Punch down the dough, divide into 6 balls and shape until round and smooth.
9. Place each dough ball onto your baking sheet at least a couple of inches apart. Flatten the tops slightly and let the buns rise for an hour.
10. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the buns in the oven and bake 25 minutes.
11. If desired, brush the tops with a little oil and sprinkle some sesame seeds or poppy seeds on the top.
12. Remove to a rack and allow the buns to cool before using.

Nutritional Info:

Makes 6 hamburger buns.

Serving size 1 hamburger bun.

Nutrients per serving:  Calories: 127, Cal. from Fat: 14.5, Total Fat: 1.5g, Sat. Fat: 0g, Carbs: 25g, Fiber: 4g, Sugars: 1.5g, Protein: 4.5g, Sodium: 42mg, Chol: 0mg

Notes:

Leftover buns can be cut in half and placed in freezer safe bags and tossed in the freezer.  It’s important to cut them BEFORE freezing that way when you need them all you have to do is take them out of the freezer and place the 2 halves in a toaster or toaster oven and heat up!  No need to thaw!