German Buns Recipe

German Buns Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 11⁄2 teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄3 cup vegetable shortening
• Two 1⁄4- ounce packages active dry yeast
• 10 to 11 cups all-purpose flour

Cooking Instructions: 

1. Combine 4 cups warm water (105° to 115°F) and salt in a large bowl; mix well. 
2. Add 1 cup of the sugar, the shortening, and yeast and stir gently to dissolve the yeast.
3. When the yeast starts to foam, add the flour, 2 cups at a time, until the dough is elastic.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and satiny, about 5 minutes.
5. Place the dough in a large greased bowl. Set in a warm place and let rise, covered, until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
6. Punch down the dough, cover with a cloth, and let rise again until doubled, 1⁄2 to 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of walnuts and roll into 56 balls. Place on two 17 × 11- inch cookie sheets and flatten slightly. Do not crowd the buns. 
8. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Do not overbake.
9. Combine the remaining 11⁄2 teaspoons sugar and 1⁄2 cup warm water in a small bowl; stir until the sugar dissolves. Brush the glaze on the hot rolls.