Honey Wheat Hamburger Buns

And yes, I chose to show my homemade hamburger buns hugging the sloppiest of meat dishes, Sloppy Joe's.  I'm not ashamed. It's even the canned kind.
Once in a blue moon (or full moon in this case) I get a craving for Sloppy Joe's (by the way, is there anyone that doesn't sing the lunch lady song whenever you hear the words sloppy joe? If you don't know what I'm talking about click here).  I have one can on hand (yep can) for this very instance. But today, when my craving struck, I didn't have any hamburger buns.  Fortunately for me, I acquired almost every kind of flour known to man over the holiday baking season.  This sounds like a good way to use some of that up, while satiating my need for sweet, tart tomatoey, meaty goodness.

I found this recipe through another blogger A Chow Life. And slightly adapted it in order to use up some of my whole wheat flour.  I've also cut my recipe in half to make 6 buns instead of 12.  Next time, however, I won't because they were such a hit!

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Milk
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 Tbs. Honey
2 1/4 active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour (plus more for bench/dusting flour)
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 1/2 Tbs. Sugar
1/2 Tbs. Kosher Salt
1 Egg + 1 Tbs water beaten for egg wash.

Instructions:

Add milk and butter to small sauce pan and heat on low just until butter melts. Remove milk butter mixture from heat.  When temperature lowers to between 105-115 degrees, drizzle in honey and sprinkle in yeast mixture. Let stand for 10 minutes

Meanwhile, Add flour, sugar and salt to stand mixture fitted with dough hook. Quickly whisk dry ingredients to combine.

Once wet ingredients have sat for 10 minutes, slowly pour into dry ingredients while mixer on low speed.  Beat for about a minute until it forms a ball. I had to add about 2 additional Tbs of flour (I assume due to the humidity). Once your ball forms, put mixture on medium low and allow to knead until smooth ball forms. About 5 min. 

I think it should look something like this, I probably could have added a bit more flour or kneaded for a bit longer?

Transfer dough to oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.  Set it in a warm place until it doubles in size.  I put it in my oven (not on) with the oven light on.

 Turn out on floured surface and roll into a log.  I find it easier to divide into equal portions this way. 

Place each portion on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mat.  Cover and let rise one again for 30 min.

Brush tops of buns with egg wash and bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 14-16 min until golden brown.  Let cool completely before cutting.

I also brushed mine with butter and grilled before using them for my sloppy joes :)