Lemon Buns

Luscious, lemon-scented buns topped with a sweet lemon glaze. This recipe uses the dough cycle of a bread machine.

Recipe Ingredients:

Dough:
1/2 cup warm water
3/4 cup warm milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 large egg
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract or 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
4 1/3 cups bread flour
1 (.25-ounce) packet active dry yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons

Glaze:
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract or 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil

Cooking Directions:

1. Place ingredients in bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
2. Select Dough setting and start machine. Keep a close eye on the process, helping to incorporate all ingredients, if necessary.
3. Once cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and divide dough into 20 pieces. Cover the pieces and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
4. Form the dough pieces into balls, and place in two lightly greased 9-inch round baking pans. Cover, and allow the buns to rise for about 1 hour, or until nearly doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Combine glaze ingredients and brush the buns lightly with half of the glaze mixture.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and brush with remaining glaze; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 20 sweet buns.