I love bread. Love. If I were forced to choose one category of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be bread. If I were stranded on a desert island but could have just one thing to eat, it would be bread. If I were given the chance to break one thing, it would be bread. With friends, of course. (Ha!) The baked goodness of fresh bread is soul-nourishing in every way. Of course, I may end up weighing a wee bit more on the scales than I would consider soul-nourishing…But I’d be happy. Fat and happy. Yes, it would be bread that would be my chosen food companion for the rest of my days.

Dearest Bread, I declare thee winner of the one food I would eat for the rest of my life. Amen.

Please understand that my brain is now going to the logistical arena where it is saying doubtful and dreadful things like, “Yeast? On a desert island? What about an oven to bake the bread?”. But you and I both know this is not reality. It’s just a pretend fantasy of mine where I must choose one food that I love. When I made these gorgeous buns, they reaffirmed my love, and my daydreams of being stranded on a desert island with all the bread-making ingredients I would ever need and all the ovens I could ever want. There would be no scales to weigh the inevitable pounds that would creep on with each loaf. Furthermore, there would be no people to see the breaded, up-sized version of me that would surely follow.

My family has enjoyed these buns with spicy pulled pork and also with hamburgers and all the fixings. They would be delightful served on their own as an accompaniment to a meal. They are also very quick and super easy to make. So, if you are in need of a bread fix or a bun to go with your favorite dish, read on for the recipe. It is extremely likely that all of the ingredients already reside in your pantry, which is why if you don’t have buns but need a bun…Voila! (Plus, I am secretly looking for people to join me in my Fantasy Bread Land.)

Special thanks to Jessie McKenney on Taste of Home for sharing this recipe with the world.

40-Minute Buns

Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let rise. Divide into 12 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 3 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Bake at 425° for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 1 dozen.

Delighted Dreamer of All Things Bread –