Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • Basic bread dough, recipe follows
  • Ketchup
  • 14 cherry tomatoes, sliced thinly
  • 1 head lettuce, torn to fit buns
  • 1 (12-ounce) package American cheese, sliced and cut in squares to fit on buns
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups warm (110 degrees F) water
  • 1 large egg
  • 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered milk
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into small pieces
  • 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
  • 1/4 cup poppy seeds
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Method

  • To make cheeseburgers: In a bowl, mix ground beef, salt and pepper.
  • Shape 1/4-ounce at a time into 1 1/2-inch patties.
  • Broil or grill 30 seconds per side.
  • To assemble: At serving time, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice buns in half.
  • Layer ketchup, tomato and lettuce on each bottom half.
  • Place burgers on baking sheet; top each with a slice of cheese.
  • Bake until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Place in buns and serve.
  • To make the basic bread dough: In a small bowl, mix yeast, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 cup warm water.
  • Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  • In bowl of electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat remaining 1 1/4 cups warm water, egg, powdered milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 1 cup flour.
  • Beat until smooth and creamy, about 7 minutes.
  • Add yeast mixture; beat on medium.
  • On medium-low, beat in 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough comes together (it will be sticky), about 2 minutes.
  • Switch to dough hook.
  • Gradually add butter; beat until dough is soft and sticks to fingers slightly, about 7 minutes.
  • If dough is too wet, add 1/4 cup flour.
  • On lightly floured surface, knead dough several turns into a ball.
  • Cover dough with plastic.
  • Let stand in warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat convection oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Coat parchment lined baking sheet with cooking spray.
  • Roll dough into 3/4 inch balls; place 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheet.
  • Cover with plastic wrap lightly coated with cooking spray.
  • Let stand on a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 20 minutes.
  • Brush egg wash over dough; sprinkle with poppy seeds.
  • Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating pan half way through.
  • Cool buns on rack.