Lydia's White Buns

I've been making Lydia's White Buns ever since she put her recipe in the 1992 edition of our local church cookbook. From time to time. . I make other lady's buns. . but always come back to her recipe because it works well for me. If you follow the directions carefully, I imagine you will have nice soft buns for your family as well.

Lydia's White Buns

• 2 cups milk
• 2 farm fresh eggs .. slightly beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup sugar ( I cut it back from 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup real butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 6 cups flour. . .and more to knead to soft dough

1. In a large bowl. . or in your kitchen machine. . .put the warm water, 1 tsp. sugar and yeast. . .allow to rest 10 minutes. .if it hasn't poofed by then. . start over. .either your water was too hot. . or it is old.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and shortening. Add the milk and just warm through. . .slightly. . not too hot. . the yeast will die.
3. Add the beaten eggs to the large bowl where the yeast is.
4. Add the warmed milk and shortening and butter.
5. Add the salt and sugar.
6. Add the flour one cup at a time. . .stirring well.
7. Allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. . adding a bit of flour to keep it from sticking. . .Knead for at least 10 minutes. . be patient. . scrape the bits off the counter with a bench scraper and keep turning the dough. . .
9. Let rest 1 1/2 hours with a tea towel and a plastic bag over the bowl.
10. Give it a bit of a punch down. . and again allow to rest 10 minutes while you prepare your pans. Either spray your pans or put parchment paper on our cookie sheets.
11. Make the dough into buns by taking a piece the size of a grapefruit. .(your hands should be oiled). .hold the dough in your left hand and with your right hand . .squeeze a small amount between your thumb and forefinger ..the size of a very small mandarin orange. . and squeeze it off. If it isn't smooth. . take the ball. .and cup it in your right hand on the counter and roll it around really quick. .
12. Allow to rise until doubled. . about an hour.
13. Preheat the oven to 350 F. and bake each pan until golden brown about 15 to 20 minutes depending on your oven.

Thank you Lydia P. . for these yummy buns.