Wheat Buns

Embrace the wholesome goodness of freshly baked Wheat Buns, a versatile recipe that allows you to create both delightful individual buns and beautifully braided wreaths. These buns, with their soft and tender texture, offer a comforting and satisfying experience with every bite. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or as an accompaniment to a meal, these homemade treats will elevate any moment.

The journey begins by combining milk, wheat sourdough starter, and a portion of the flour, allowing the mixture to rise and develop its unique flavors. As the dough awakens, a luscious combination of butter, fresh yeast, white syrup, ground cardamom, and salt join the mix, imparting their aromatic essence and enhancing the overall richness of the buns.

Makes about 35 buns

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups (500 ml) milk, room temperature
• 1¾ oz (50 g) wheat sourdough starter
• 9½ cups (1¼ kg) wheat flour
• 1 cup (200 g) butter
• ½ cup (75 g) fresh yeast
• ½ cup (165 g) white syrup
• ½ oz (15 g) ground cardamom
• 1 tsp (5 g) salt
• 1 egg for brushing
• Pearl sugar for garnish

WHEAT SOURDOUGH STARTER:

• ¾ cup (200 ml) water, room temperature
• 2 cups (325 g) wheat flour or spelt flour, sifted
• ½ cup (100 g) grated apple, peeled

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the ingredients and let stand for 2–4 days in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Stir in the mornings and evenings.
2. The starter is ready when the mixture starts to bubble. From this point on, all you have to do is “feed” the dough so that it retains its flavor and ability to ferment. If you leave the sourdough in the refrigerator, you should feed it once a week with ½ cup (100 ml) water and 1 cup (100 g) wheat flour. If you keep the sourdough at room temperature, it should be fed every day, in the same manner. The consistency should resemble thick porridge.
3. If you have sourdough left over, you can freeze it in containers that hold half a cup or leave a part of it to dry.

BUNS:

1. In a bowl, mix 1⅔ cup (400 ml) of milk with the sourdough and half of the flour. Let it rise for about 1 hour.
2. Melt the butter and let it cool.
3. Dissolve the yeast in the remaining milk.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the first dough (from step 1) with the dissolved yeast, melted butter, remaining flour, white syrup, ground cardamom, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated and the dough is smooth.
5. Shape the dough into thirty-five buns and place them on a greased baking sheet.
6. Let the buns rise under a cloth until they have doubled in size.
7. Preheat the oven to 400°F (210°C).
8. Brush the risen buns with the beaten egg and sprinkle a little pearl sugar on top.
9. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy your delicious Wheat Buns, whether as individual buns or in the form of braided wreaths!

So, tie your apron, gather your ingredients, and let the enticing aroma of freshly baked Wheat Buns fill your kitchen. Get ready to enjoy the simple pleasure of homemade bread, as you embrace the joy of creating delicious, warm buns that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones.