Recipe: Lithuanian Bacon Buns (Brandeles Su Lasiniais)

BRANDELES SU LASINIAIS
(LITHUANIAN BACON BUNS)

FOR THE DOUGH:
1 oz. cake compressed yeast
water
4 1/2 cups flour, divided use
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup salad oil or shortening
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
FOR THE FILLING:
1 lb. bacon (cut fine)
1/4 lb. ham (chopped fine or ground)
1/2 small onion (cut fine)
1 egg
Dash of pepper

TO PREPARE THE DOUGH:
Soften yeast in small amount of water and small amount of the flour; let rise a little.

Add milk, eggs, shortening, sugar, salt. Gradually stir in flour to form soft dough. Beat vigorously, cover and let rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.

Knead again for 2 minutes. Let rise a second time.

Roll out 1/4-inch thick. Use large glass or circle cookie cutter for shaping buns.

TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
Mix the ingredients for the filling together well.

TO FILL AND BAKE THE BUNS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Put 1 tablespoon of filling in each circle and seal edges with a little liquid. Let rise again for 15 minutes on greased pan.

Brush with raw egg.

Bake in oven 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen
Adapted from source: Marbalet