My sweet little bread machine kicked the can last week after two years of hard work in our family. I used my bread machine two to three times a week so it does a lot of work for us and I am missing it terribly. I got mine at a garage sale and I just can’t see paying for it retail, but my husband is insisting that we just buy one new this time. I don’t know though… I think I might check the thrift store a few times before buying one.
In the meantime, we are using our trusty stand mixer fitted with the dough hook to do the bread. It has been so long since I have made bread this way that I feared that my attempt might fail miserably.
Ethan happened to watch Sesame Street though and they showed the process of making bread so he asked me if we could do this together. Since we were having sandwiches that night, I told him he could help me make the hamburger buns for our dinner.
We let the stand mixer do the mixing for us and then we pulled the dough out to do the kneading. This dough reminds me of play dough so it is the perfect dough to use with kids. It is not sticky and doesn’t even require a floured surface. Ethan mastered the art of kneading and enjoyed working his frustrations out on the dough. Pound, pound, pound, knead, knead, knead…
I cut the dough into nine pieces and then Ethan shaped them and put them on the stone. We talked about how the bread needs to rise and rest while we tidied the house up before dinner. After a little rising, I slid the stone into the oven for fifteen minutes of cooking.
Despite being really out of practice, the rolls turned out beautifully. Ethan pronounced the dinner, “The best dinner in the entire world.”
A successful mission completed!
can i recommend the no-knead bread recipe from the nyt? it made my bread machine obsolete.
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I would love to hear more on homemeade bread. I have a mixer, and I have tried to make pizza crust twice now and failed miserably…
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My boys love making bread, but I’ve never tried to dun buns. Don’t know what that seems more intimidating than just a loaf.
We’re having sloppy joes one night this week; maybe we’ll try buns to go with them.
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Christi- I think if you were going to try them, this would be a great recipe to attempt because it isn’t very sticky. I was really scared to even use the dough cycle on a bread machine because I had never worked with dough and I have slowly gotten more familiar with it. These buns are great and will make you feel like a little pro in the kitchen!!
Rachel- I will work on some more discussions on bread- thanks for that feedback. I struggle with the mixer myself so I am sure it would help me in the kitchen too!
Funkyfrum- I have not tried that recipe yet, but I have it bookmarked. Thank you for that reminder. I appreciate it!
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What is the nyt and where can I find this recipe?
Our bread machine bit the dust, too, and I was SO SCARED to try mixing up bread by hand, but it’s actually quite fun! I am growing to really like it.
Best dinnner ever – too cute!
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Try craigslist for your area! I just bought a brand-new bread machine (still new in the box) for $25 by checking craigslist in my town!
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Megan- Here is a link to the NYT article:
http://tinyurl.com/ye3wl9
I have heard great things about the recipe and have enjoyed seeing other bloggers trying it. I might have to do that myself!
Thanks for swinging by!!
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My bread machine also died… awhile ago. Now that I am used to making bread with my mixer I actually like it better. I found a *new-only used once* bread machine at a garage sale…. only thing is, I still prefer to use the mixer! I haven’t ever made hamburger buns… need to try it! Can you post your recipe?? My Ethan would love to help, too! They do enjoy bread making!
Heather
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Since you bake bread so frequently, you may want to look into another no knead bread concept – “Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day” by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. I have the book and am going to try the recipes. Basically you mix a batch of dough together and put it into your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and pull out batches as needed. The authors have a website as well and are receptive to questions – http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com.
The NY Times recipe has gotten great reviews but requires some advance planning.
Good Luck
Noreen
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Noreen- I had never heard of that book, but I am going to put a hold on it at the library. That might be right up my alley and save me some cash too! Thanks for the book recommendation!
Heather- If you click on those words “hamburger buns” in the entry, it should pop up the recipe. Let me know if it doesn’t and I will email you the recipe. I think it would be perfect for you and your Ethan!!
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I was at our local thrift store today and they had 2 bread machines for $10 each. I would love to have one but I’m scared to buy a used one because I don’t how to work it. I need a used one with instructions. I’ve been looking at yard sales and thrift stores since I started reading about making bread in the machine. Good luck on finding one.
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roll recipe please???
I got my bread machine 2 weeks ago at a rummage sale for $1!! Keep looking!
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Tami- If you find one that looks good, I would scoop it up. Mine didn’t have a bread machine manual and a quick search on Google popped up an online version of the manual. It might be worth it!!!
CC & Heather- Here is the roll recipe!
Hot Dog/Hamburger Buns/Rolls/Cinnamon Buns Dough Cycle (Courtesy of Recipezaar)
1 1/4 cups skim milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
1/4-1/3 cup sugar (I use a 1/4 cup measure)
1 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast
1. Place all ingredients in order recommended by your bread machine manufacturer.
2. Select dough cycle and start machine.
3. I preheat my oven to 100°F and turn off.
4. When dough cycle is complete remove from machine and proceed.
5. I roll into a long log and cut into 12 pieces for hot dog buns or 9 pieces for large hamburger buns. For Hot Dog Buns, I roll out till they look like long skinny wieners. Hamburger Buns, I flatten with my palm till about the thickness of a pancake. They rise beautifully and look as nicely shaped as store bought ones. Put on parchment-lined baking sheet so sides are almost touching (Amy’s Note- I just put them on my pizza stone).
6. Cover with cloth and put in the warm oven for 45-60 minutes to rise.
7. When doubled remove from oven.
8. Turn oven to 400°F and when you put the buns in the oven, reduce temperature immediately to 375° and bake hot dog buns 15 minutes and hamburger buns 17 minutes. (Amy’s Note- I checked around 12 minutes and they were golden)
9. CINNAMON BUNS. Use 1/3 cup sugar in recipe. Made 10 large buns.
10. Roll out to about 12 x 15″ and spread with butter or margarine. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over all and roll up tightly. Cut into as many buns as you want. I make 10.
11. Set oven to 400° and turn down to 375° when you put buns inches Bake 20 minutes. (Amy’s Note: These take more like 12 minutes)
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i never would have thought to make my own hamburger buns! that’s so awesome! i’ll have to give it a try.
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oh how cute. I will have to do this when my girl is old enough
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You might try Freecycle. It’s where I got mine. You can’t beat
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well, I have a bread machine but don’t have the instructions anymore. You’ve just inspired me to google them and start using it!
Is your dough recipe good to put in the bread machine? I’ve always heard you need those bread machine kits at the grocery store – or is that a marketing ploy for someone like me who doesn’t know how to use mine??!!! I really want to start using mine since I always read how much you did with yours – and to think I was going to sell mine in our garage sale!
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Sorry to hear about your bread machine. Your hamburger buns look yummy though! Good save!
You know Amy, I would love to see a post with all of your favorite blogs and websites. I was thinking about that today!
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So sorry to hear about your bread machine, it looks like Ethan is having a blast in the kitchen though
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I made your hamburger bun recipe yesterday for sloppy joes we had last night!!
I had borrowed a breadmaker from a friend but found one at Goodwill in really good condition (looked like a return to Target) for $15. Keep looking!
The one I borrowed didn’t have a manual, but I was able to call the company and they e-mailed a file with it. Very easy!
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Wow. I’m in total awe. Those look delicious. The only homemade dough I make is pizza dough.
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I love making bread! It is such a fun thing for the kids to help with. I never thought of making burger buns either! Good idea!
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I love my bread machine. Although I don’t use it as often as I used to. Although I’m trying to do more myself to save money and have more control over what goes into my kids. I can’t wait to try the hamburger bun recipe.
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I just discovered your site today and I am already hooked!
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My bread machine bit the dust last summer. It was “new” at the start and lasted five years. At $50 original price, that made it $10/year. Hope that helps in thinking through your next purchase.
I’m dying without it. I have a Kitchenaid, but I just don’t like messing with the dough. The bread machine was almost completely hands-free (except for when I wanted different shapes and I baked it in the oven.)
Thanks for posting and for the nyt link. I’m going to check that out.
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Andrea- Those bread machine kits are totally a ploy. You could actually make your own and just mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and dump them into your bread machine. I just put them in little storage bags and then write what wet ingredients I need to add to make the bread with a Sharpie. If you are adding them to the machine and running it, the whole wet, dry, then yeast doesn’t matter because it will be immediately mixed up. I am sure those mixes are a lot more expensive and you will have more control over what you are putting into the machine.
Here is some more information on getting to know the bread machine:
http://tinyurl.com/2z24o7
And here is some information on storing your bread and ingredients:
http://tinyurl.com/2x59ds
FishMama- You are soooo right! When you break down the cost, it just makes sense.
Maybe I will attempt those fuss-free artisan breads and using my stand mixer and if I’m not happy, I will go and get another bread machine
Great discussion!
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My bread machine went out on us months ago. I use my kitchen aid mixer with a dough hook. We didnt really seriously look for a bread machine, and now I dont see a reason to go look for one. What I do: (1) add ingredients (I make my own mixes), (2) mix for 10 minutes, turn off, walk away. (3) 1 – 2 hours later, turn mixer on again for 5-10 minutes. Shape dough into what you want, let rise and bake. I am not real strict on time, sometimes I go out and run errands after the first mix. My family hasnt noticed a difference.
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Thanks for sharing. Maybe I’ll try my hand at these since we’ve got a long weekend coming up and sloppy joes are on our menu!
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Hi Amy! Sorry about the bread machine! That’s a real bummer!
I know how excited Ethan must have been! Great job big guy!
You do such a great job! Many blessings!!!!
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I’m so excited to be picking up my very first bread machine this evening. I found it on Craigslist.
Your previous hamburger bun post led me to Recipezaar where I found a 40-minute burger bun recipe. I’ve made them several times already and have receive rave reviews each time.
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Just in case anyone reads this today Friday May 23 and is looking for a great price on a Breadmaker, go to Amazon.com and check out their Friday sale and they Kitchen buys and they have some really great buys on Bread machines.
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