Cooking Class: Hot Dog Buns

Hot dogs are an abomination, however, sometimes they have to happen. It's best to be able to salvage the situation with a good grilled bun. It's pretty easy but it really helps to have a hot dog bun pan; you can get them from Amazon. As for the dough, use frozen; there's only one brand I've ever seen, Rhodes. Each loaf will make ten buns, plan accordingly.

(Update: you can now get a pan that will make 48 buns)


Hot Dog Buns

Makes 30



1). Thaw the loaves on a greased cookie sheet, covered with some Pam sprayed Saran Wrap, just for about an hour; they need to be just able to cut, they shouldn't have started to expand;

2). On a floured surface, use a bench scraper or sharp knife to slice the thawed loaves into 10 equal slices. They'll look absolutely ridiculous, it's okay;

3). As you cut them, dust the sides with a little flour and move them onto the oiled bun pans;

4). Cover again with the annoying sprayed wrap; watch your language at this point, someone will hear you, trust me;

5). Go away for 2 - 3 hours, till the dough has risen to fill the pans;

6). Uncover and bake at 365F for about 15 minutes;

7). Remote from oven and cool about five minutes, then transfer to wire racks 'till dinnertime. You can separate the buns easily now.


Special Directions:

At dinner time, slice the buns vertically about halfway through. Melt a ton of butter and brush the tops and sides. Grill the soft sides on a skillet or griddle till they are just perfectly toasted.

Eat the buns and give the hot dogs to the Canine Contingent. There is a picture of a fully loaded West Virginia Hot Dog included for your cultural edification.