Hot Dog Bun Pan

The classic New England split-top bun is a summertime staple, ideal for holding lobster salad or a hot dog fresh off the grill. We usually buy buns, but this style can be hard to find outside this region. Now there’s a way to bake them at home. This sturdy steel pan shapes 10 buns in U-shaped indentations that run across its rectangular base. We made and shaped the dough according to the instructions, which called for covering the pan with an inverted baking sheet weighted with a heavy cast-iron skillet. As the buns baked, the dough expanded and flattened against the baking sheet, and the pan released 10 evenly browned, flat-bottomed buns without a hitch. After we sliced them, the buns resembled the store-bought versions but tasted even better. We won’t always have time to bake homemade buns, but when we do, this pan will make it possible—and elevate our lobster rolls or any backyard barbecue fare.