BUTTERY SOURDOUGH BUNS

BAKE

22 mins. to 25 mins.

•TOTAL

•3 hrs 42 mins. to 4 hrs 55 mins.

Ingredients

•1/2 C sourdough starter, fed or unfed

•3 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

•2 1/2 tsps. instant yeast

•1 Tbsp. sugar

•1 1/4 tsps. salt

•1 large egg•5 Tbsps. soft butter

•C lukewarm water•TOPPING

•4 Tbsps. melted butter, divided

•1/4 tsp. paprika, optional

Instructions

•Combine all of the dough ingredients in a large bowl, and mix and knead — using your hands, a stand mixer, or a bread machine set on the dough cycle — to make a soft, smooth dough.

•Place the dough in a lightly greased container — an 8-cup measure works well here — and allow the dough to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until it's just about doubled in bulk.

•Gently deflate the dough, and transfer it to a lightly greased work surface.

•Roll and pat the dough into a rough rectangle approximately 12" x 16". Put 2 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl, and add the paprika, if desired; it's there for color, and accentuates the buns' swirl, but omit it if you wish. Spread the dough with the melted butter.

•Starting with a long side, roll the dough into a log.

•Cut the log in 1" slices, using a sharp knife, or a piece of dental floss looped between your fingers.

•Lightly grease two 8" or 9" round cake pans. Arrange 8 buns in each pan.

•Cover the pans, and let the buns rise for 60 minutes, until they're noticeably puffy. Don't let these buns rise too long; you want them to have enough rising power left to expand nicely in the oven. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F.

•Uncover the pans, and brush each bun with some of the remaining melted butter.

•Bake the buns for 22 to 25 minutes; they'll colour only slightly.

•Remove the buns from the oven, and turn them out of the pan onto a rack. Brush with any remaining melted butter. Serve hot or warm. To reheat, place the buns on a baking sheet, tent lightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 10 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven.

•Wrap any leftover buns airtight, and store at room temperature for several days. For longer storage, wrap airtight and freeze.

•Yield: 16 buns.©Al (Alex-Alexander) D Girvan. All rights reserved