Sunday, August 31, 2008

Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

A couple of months ago, I got a vintage copy of Prudence Penny's Cookbook in the mail. I had never heard of Prudence Penny, but apparently she was a Los Angeles Times food writer who encouraged young housewives to make appealing meals on a budget. The cookbook came to me from Deb in Hawaii, who has a gorgeous blog with stunning recipes and tidbits about life in paradise. Deb had been at a flea market and had noticed the book and immediately bought it and shipped it to me, wrapped in beautiful paper, and complete with beach themed note card.
It's readers like Deb that make being Prudence Penny (the only difference is that I have added WISE to my moniker) number 2 worthwhile. So many of you have brightened my day, made my recipes, encouraged my random ramblings, gently corrected any of my errors, and essentially made the hours of blogging worthwhile for me. Thank you, friends and readers.
This week I posted a hamburger bun recipe, white and buttery, the way that I usually make the, even though I'm almost exclusively a freakish whole grain lover. Deb, of Hawaiian fame, asked about making the buns with whole wheat. Although I was pretty darn sure they would work just fine, I wanted to test them out because I would never want to lead dear Deb astray. Plus, all of us have tasted hard and dry wheat rolls, and I wanted my buns to be hearty, but also light and tender. Ding, ding, ding! Success! I altered the original recipe only very slightly and now I've got a new favorite. Goodbye white buns (although Quiet Man still likes those best) and hello Wheaty Better for You Buns. Make them both and let me know which one you like best. This one's for you, Deb!
Money Saving Tips: Wheat is getting pricey, so buy your ground whole wheat on sale, or grind your wheat kernels if you can. Consider buying in bulk to save money.

Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

Estimated Cost: $2.50 for 10

Notes: These are good enough to eat on their own, or with a bit of butter and jam.

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, plus more for bowl

2 and 1/4 teaspoons yeast (Use SAF yeast if you can)

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 and 1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, divided use

2 and 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

wheat germ, for sprinkling the outsides

In a small microwave safe bowl, heat butter and milk until butter melts. Cool until warm (about 95-105 degrees), about five minutes. In a large bowl, combine butter mixture, yeast, brown sugar, salt and 1 egg and 1 egg white. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time to form a slightly sticky dough. Knead for 3 minutes; shape into a bowl. Butter the bowl and replace dough. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Shape into 10 rolls and place on buttered cookie sheet. Let rise, covered, for about 50 minutes or until light and large. Lightly brush with remaining egg yolk and sprinkle with wheat germ. Bake at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes.

White Rolls after Rising and Baking:

Coming First Light of Tuesday:

Tuesdays with Dorie:

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

26 comments:

Emily said...

Okay Prudy I call first dibs on your cookbook someday! I love your blog! You are the queen of the kitchen madam!

Mary Ann said...

So, now that I know you take personal orders I am going to have a whole ton of them ready for requesting next time I comment :) I think I will try these out when I made burgers or sloppy joes this week. They look perfectly fantastic and have I ever told you that you really make my day?!

Anonymous said...

I love to make hamburger buns from scratch! Speaking of wheat, I remember as a kid watching my mom grind her own wheat on Sundays to make a fresh loaf of bread. Mmmmmm!

Jaime said...

who knew there was another prudence pennywise?! :)

those whole wheat buns make healthy look delicious!

feel free to post about the egg tip on your blog :) of course some linky love is always appreciated :)

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Lovely rolls! Nice of you to sprinkle them with weath germ, I love that stuff! Funny thing there was another Prudy!

Astra Libris said...

Your whole wheat buns are absolutely gorgeous!! So beautiful and light-looking, and so healthful! I am always looking for new whole wheat bread recipes - I can't wait to try your incredible work of art!

Thank you so much for your amazingly kind and sweet comment on my blog... I am touched and honored by your words...

Chou said...

Hooray for wheat! I've got 20 lbs sitting in my kitchen waiting for me to find a grinder. :)

Anonymous said...

You'll always be Prudy #1 to me! These buns looks beatiful (your buns always looks beautiful- heehee, but it's true!) They look like something from LaBrea Bakery. I can't wait to try some, when I'm feeling ambitious. I'm a cooking slump, and I just can't quite pull myself out. Someday . . .

Natalie Que said...

Yum! And how fun to get that Vintage Cookbook in the mail!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Wow - that hamburger is gorgeous! I hope you are working on a cookbook - I'd love to order a copy! I always look forward to your posts and what beautiful creations you have thought up! Have a great night!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Now those are some buns!!! I would go for the whole wheat ones, they really look amazing!

Ali said...

I am excited to try these out for sure. I pulled some ground beef out of the freezer for some quick spaghetti tonight...but ending up eating halibut that we caught in Alaska with the in-laws.

Anyway, I need a recipe for my ground beef for tomorrow! I might try one of your hamburgers, or possibly the Shepard's pie. Thanks for all the GREAT recipes!

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Our old colleg chum "P" taught me this phrase:
"the whiter the bread, the quicker you're dead."...
Silly, but I'm with you--it's always good to go whole wheat when you can. Thanks for the inspiring healthy buns.

Deb in Hawaii said...

What a sweet post! I am honored by both the call out on your wonderful blog and all the trouble you went through for little old me! Your buns look even better now! It was fate that Prudence Penny's cookbook caught my eye and I am happy she has such a good home now. You are the best!

Marie Rayner said...

I love whole wheat anything. It's better for you and I just think it tastes better too! Todd and I need to get a wheat grinder. WE have bags of the stuff and need to be using it.

Cindy said...

I came upon your fabulous blog via a link from another blog and I just have to tell you what a great thing you are doing! Everything looks yummy and is inspiring me to cook (which is saying a lot!) Also I LOVE the music and I had it in my head for the rest of the day (in a good way) and even came back to hear it again a few times!!!

Maria said...

I love the looks of these buns and I am glad you have that cookbook!

The Blonde Duck said...

You never cease to amaze me! When can I come over for dinner?

Chef Jeena said...

Lovely wholesome buns Prudy I bet the smell was amazing as they baked.

vanillasugarblog said...

wheat germ is so good for you too.
Gorgeous buns my dear. How is grandpa doing?

Deanna said...

I can't wait to try making these. I have been on a cooking kick this weekend. It is a great way to pass the time while a Hurricane is passing your way!

Leslie said...

I love whole wheat ANYTHING!
I stray away from white breads. These look wonderful! I might have to whip me up a batch!!

La Bella Cooks said...

Oh how fun. That is a great idea to take the time to make your own hamburger buns. Especially when you know exactly what is going into them! Looks delicious!

Jenny said...

How fun! These have got to be so good. I can practically taste them!

Anonymous said...

Do you mean three cups of flour?

Your recipe says one.

I used two and a half, which seems to work pretty well.

Anonymous said...

Wondering how do you shape your hamburger buns? Do you cut them out or do you roll them into a ball or something else? THanks!