Baby Step Buns - the Sequel

Okay, like I said: baby steps.

Remember how my buns were a little flat and I couldn’t figure out why? Well, I suppose made a slight mistake when I dissolved the yeast in warm water, as this is a 'cold-rise dough'. Heh. Oops. How was I supposed to know not to kill the little guys?! They also like to eat something sweet (yeah, I know, they are so demanding!), which of course I didn’t do the first time, so squirting a dollop of honey into the water is apparently a good idea. To add insult to injury, I put the dough right up against my blistering-hot radiator, ruining any chance at a decent rise. So don’t do that either. Keep the dough at room temperature.

I am ridiculous, and I apologize.
Now please take some baby steps of your own and go make these buns. They are really good. Promise.

Baby Step Buns
Ingredients:
3 cups whole grain flour (I use spelt)
1 cup grain mix*
2 cups cold water
1 tsp. honey
20 g. fresh yeast OR ¾ tsp. dry active yeast
½ Tbsp. sea salt, plus more for garnish
2 tsp. olive oil
nuts and seeds for garnish (optional)

* You can purchase grain mixes specifically for baking at natural food stores and good grocers, but making your own is easy. You can blend any of your favorite grains, nuts, and seeds together - I like ground flax, rolled oats, sunflower seeds, sesame, rye kernels…you get the idea.

Directions:
1. Dissolve the yeast it in cold water. Add honey.
2. Combine dry ingredients well, then add the water and oil.
3. Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. Cover with a tea towel and let sit at room temperature overnight.
4. In the morning, preheat oven to 400F, line a couple baking trays with parchment paper, and spoon dough onto them. You can make these as large or small as you like, mine were about the size of my palm. Sprinkle with nuts and/or seeds and sea salt.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a tap on the bottom of the buns makes a hollow sound.


Good luck, ya'll. Tell me how they turn out. :)