This post is not to try to convince anyone to grind wheat and make flour and bake your own bread. This is most for those few of you who have the mill, have the wheat, have tried it and weren’t happy with the results but haven’t totally given up yet.
It was in 2007 or 2008 when I got my first mill and I made bread using 100% hard red wheat. The bread was edible. Poor Vince and Chad . . they ate it and didn’t complain. It was after we moved to Texas in 2011 that I began to experiment with other grains and my bread got better. It wasn’t until after we moved back to MO in 2021 that I was here by myself and started reading more and then I found Grains in Small Places. She puts so much effort into making her breads and cakes and cookies and she makes them til she gets it right before sharing the recipes. I’ve learned so much from her and the main thing I’m doing differently is adding enough liquid to make sure the dough is well hydrated and letting the dough sit so the liquid is absorbed and adding more liquid than is called for if needed.
Yesterday I made hamburger buns. This is not the first time I’ve made buns. I’ve made them dozens of times but using her recipe and adding more liquid as needed, these were the best buns I’ve made and the first time I’ve said “I hope to never buy buns again!”
You can see what a nice, smooth dough ball that is. I used hard white wheat and kamut, which is one of my favorite combinations.
The buns were as close to perfect as I’ve ever made and the flavor and texture was so much better than regular storebought buns.
montanaclarks says
I’m one of the ones who has no intention of grinding my own flour but I do make the best hamburger buns–and hope to never buy store bought again. I use half wheat flour and half white flour, make a bunch and freeze them for later use.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s a great idea to make them ahead and freeze them!
Kathy C says
I made buns today too! I did not grind my own flour. I buy a 25 lb bag of flour at my local restaurant supply store.
You were my inspiration to try them last year. They really are easy, and so good. I cheat a bit and make the dough in my old bread machine but then I bake them in the oven.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I don’t think that’s cheating at all! I’m glad you’re making and enjoying homemade buns.