Cornbread Hot Dog Buns

Recipe by Charlotte Rutledge
14 Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars

Inspired by corn dogs, these yeasted buns are spiked with cornmeal and have the slight crunch and flavor of cornbread. At the same time, they're just as soft and tender as your favorite traditional hot dog buns, yet still perfectly capable of securely cradling your preferred frank and condiments. For a Vermont-inspired King Arthur dog, top with a sweet maple/Sriracha slaw.

Prep
15 mins
Bake
22 to 25 mins
Total
3 hrs 15 mins
Yield
10 hot dog buns
Cornbread Hot Dog Buns

Instructions

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  1. Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Combine all of the ingredients, and mix and knead to make a smooth dough, adding additional flour or water if necessary.

  2. Let the dough rise, covered, until nearly doubled in bulk, 60 to 90 minutes.

  3. Lightly grease a New England Hotdog Bun Pan.

  4. Gently deflate the dough, and stretch it until it's about 15" long and 6" wide. Place the dough into the pan, stretching it to the edges.

  5. Let the dough rise for 45 to 60 minutes, until it comes to within 1/2" of the top of the pan.

  6. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 375°F.

  7. Grease a baking sheet, and place it on top of the risen buns, to keep them flat as they bake.

  8. Put the covered buns into the oven, weighing the baking sheet down with something heavy and oven-safe; a cast iron skillet works well.

  9. Bake the buns for 20 minutes, remove the weighted baking sheet, and bake for 2 to 5 minutes longer, if necessary, to brown the buns. A digital thermometer inserted into the center will read 195°F to 200°F.

  10. Remove the pan from the oven, and cool the buns in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn them out onto a rack, rounded side up, to cool completely.

  11. Slice each bun down the middle vertically, without cutting through the bottom; then cut between the buns to separate them.

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