49 bake from scratch
PRETZEL BUNS
WHAT THEY ARE: These off er all the comfort and savory joy of a traditional pretzel,
no knotting required. Once they’re shaped and proofed, you’ll quickly boil these
buns in a solution of baking soda and water, creating a salty exterior. A fi nal score
and sprinkle with sea salt, and they’re ready to bake up dark golden, transforming the
outside into a chewy crust while the inside sports a toothsome crumb.PAIR THEM: With their excellent element of chewiness, try pairing these buns with
tender and juicy burgers or pulled roast pork. This German specialty also goes well with
other German delicacies, so griddle a bratwurst, split it down the middle, and stick it in
the bun—just don’t forget the mustard.HOT DOG BUNS
WHAT THEY ARE: We took the recipe for Japanese milk bread and shaped it
into the traditional long hot dog form for a couple of reasons. Milk bread dough
is hydrated with a paste of milk and fl our, yielding a cottony crumb. The slight
sweetness of milk bread also balances out the saltiness of cured hot dogs. Baked
together in a row, these buns also have nice height and soft sides.PAIR THEM: These buns can serve the classic purpose as your vehicles for sausages,
hot dogs, or bratwurst. For a less conventional take, consider stuffi ng them with
lobster or crab salad, as the buns’ mild sweetness will complement the seafood.POTATO BREAD LOAF
WHAT IT IS: The secret to this bread loaf is in its name: potato. The potassium in
potatoes helps activate the yeast, creating an expedited rise. Plus, the starch in the
potatoes lends the dough a chewy, tender crumb ideal for sandwich bread. Potato
starch absorbs water more effi ciently than wheat, so the mashed potatoes keep the
dough hydrated without being gummy. Because the starch is so key, we went with
russet potatoes, which are the starchiest and, thus, creamiest potato. Bonus points?
Potato starch also keeps your bread dough fresher for longer.PAIR IT: Like the fi nest version of a plain sandwich bread, this loaf can be made into
any kind of sandwich your heart desires. Potato bread toasts and pan-fries beautifully,
so try using this bread to create your next grilled cheese or Monte Cristo sandwich.BRIOCHE BUNS
WHAT THEY ARE: Brioche is an enriched dough, meaning it receives a boost of
richness from butter, eggs, milk, and sugar. This increased richness makes it a natural
match for a burger or slider. You’ll have to knead this dough the longest because the
addition of sugar inhibits gluten development, but your patience will pay off. These
buns are golden pillows destined to transform your cookout playbook.PAIR THEM: Brioche is a decadent accompaniment to burgers, barbecue, and any
slider of your choice. Feel free to play with the topping as well. Instead of sesame
seeds, you could top it with an everything bagel seasoning mix (see page 110 for our
recipe) or dukkah (a Middle Eastern seed mix).