Dutch Crunch Bread Recipe

 

Soft White Sandwich Buns

Makes 6 Big Buns

1 tbsp active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup warm 2% milk

1 1/2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp canola oil

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook, combine yeast, water, milk and sugar.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Once yeast is dissolved and starting to foam and bubble, add the salt, oil and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour and mix on medium speed.

Once you have a nice 'gloppy' dough, add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time on low speed, until the dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl (I used just shy of 3 1/2 cups... if you need more, add a tbsp at a time).  

Allow the bread to knead on low speed for 4 minutes.  Remove dough hook, take dough out of bowl, oil the bowl and put the dough back in, rolling it around to get a light coating of oil.  Cover and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled, about an hour.

Once risen, gently deflate, move to a floured board.

Pat the dough into a disc and cut into 6 equal(ish) wedges.  Take each wedge and form into a round bun, pinching together at the bottom, then rolling between your hands.

Put the buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover them with a clean tea towel and set them somewhere warm to start their second rise.  

About 15 minutes into the second rise, start making your Dutch Crunch topping.  

Dutch Crunch Topping

Enough for this bun recipe or a standard loaf of bread

1 tbsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp canola oil

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup white rice flour

Mix all of the ingredients together very well with a whisk and set aside for 15 minutes.  The mixture will be similar in consistency to royal icing but will thicken as it stands.

After the topping has rested for 15 minutes, it's time to get goopy!  Using your hands is the best way to do this... gently spread the topping over the surface of the buns, making sure not to push to deflate them.  You should use all of the topping as it is put on generously.  

Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven (I gave the oven a few sprays of water right before adding the bread) for 25 minutes.  Allow to cool on a wire rack.

As for my sandwich, I was still blown away by the beauty of these buns and I went simple with a twist.  I made an egg salad but added red onion and a touch of curry powder to the mayo.  I also spread the buns with red pepper jelly and topped it with some baby spinach.  It made for an interesting combination... but as much as I love curry, I don't think I dig it in my egg salad.

Source: mmmisformommy.com