Savory Bacon Cheeseburger Buns

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, shortening, eggs, and salt. Gradually stir in 3-1/2 cups flour until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside. In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Add the cooked bacon and Velveeta cheese; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 400°F. Punch down the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 4-inch square. Place about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture in the center of each square. Bring the corners of the dough up and pinch to seal, creating a bun shape.

4. 4

   Place the filled buns 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until lightly browned. Brush the tops with the melted butter. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with ketchup or barbecue sauce.