The GFCF Recipe Experience: Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

My GFCF Memorial Day "epic fail" redemption tour continues!

I have always wanted to make some homemade GFCF hamburger and hot dog buns. And I figured I had a foolproof way to make them - in the bread machine! The instructions for the bread machine I bought recently talked about how you could use the machine to make pull-apart dinner rolls, so why not hamburger and hot dog buns?

So on Memorial Day, I had planned to follow the dinner roll instructions - let the machine do the mixing and kneading, and then, right before the final rise cycle, remove the dough and the mixing flapper from the machine, then divide the dough into six pieces and shape each piece into whatever I was making, be it hamburger or hot dog buns. Return them to the machine, stacking them on top of each other, and then let the buns rise and bake in the machine. Simple, right?

Yeah, right...

First, I needed a recipe, and I found this recipe for GF buns at About.com. I made some modifications, and placed the ingredients in the bread machine and set it for the gluten free cycle. Just before the final rise, I went to remove the dough and shape it into buns...and it was way too thin - no way you could shape it into much of anything except a blob! So, instead of throwing it away and starting over...I restarted the machine and made bread. And when the bread was done, I let it cool, then cut it into eight "hot dog" buns.

I tried again, cutting the amount of liquid used, and came up with a dough that I divided into six pieces and shaped into hamburger buns. I returned the dough to the bread machine and let it complete the gluten free cycle. They turned out ok, but they were so big my kids were overwhelmed!!!

But they tasted good, so at least I had proof of concept.

The following Saturday, my daughter's birthday, I tried again. I used the bread machine to mix and knead the dough, but this time, instead of stacking the buns and baking them in the bread machine, I divided the dough into eight pieces, shaped each into a hamgurger bun, and then placed them on a baking sheet and baked them in the oven.

Success!! Finally, a bun worthy of a hamburger.

GFCF HAMBURGER AND HOT DOG BUNS
Adapted from a recipe found at About.com

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups Bob's Red Mill GF All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cups tapioca flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
**or use 3 cups of your favorite GF flour blend**

3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp xanthan gum
1 Tbsp yeast
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp rice or cider vinegar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
egg whites from 2 large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup water, at room temperature

Combine flours and xanthan gum together; set aside.

Bread Machine Directions: Place all the ingredients except the flour and the yeast in the bread machine. Add the flour, then add the yeast on top of the flour. Set the machine to the gluten free cycle, or to the knead only cycle, and knead for 15 minutes. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface (I used brown rice flour for this).

Stand Mixer directions: Use the dough hook attachment. Place all the ingredients except the flour mixture in the mixing bowl and begin mixing on medium speed. Gradually add the flour and knead for 15 minutes. Turn out onto a floured surface.

NOTE: Regardless of how you mix and knead the dough, be mindful of the amount of water being used. The 2/3 cup water works for the flour mix I use - your mix may vary. If you use a different mix than the one above I would start with 1/2 cup water and gradually add more water until the correct dough consistency is achieved. You want a dough that is sticky but shapable.

Once the dough has been turned out, divide the dough into eight pieces. For hamburger buns, shape the dough into a ball and press down into a 1/2 inch thick circle. for hot dog buns, roll each piece into a 5 - 6 inch log, then press down until 1/2 inches thick.

Place each bun onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, sides touching. Brush the tops with olive oil. Cover with a tea towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

After 10 minutes, place the buns in the preheated oven and bake at 350° for 15 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Begin checking after 15 minutes to make sure they do not overcook - you should hear a hollow thud if you tap the top of the bun when they are done.

Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. Once cooled, either use immediately or place in a zippered bag or airtight container until ready to use.

Then grill up some burgers and hot dogs, and enjoy!!!