Description
This recipe for homemade hamburger buns yields soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet buns perfect for any burger. Made with warm milk, yeast, butter, and a touch of sugar, these buns have a tender crumb and a shiny golden top, optionally sprinkled with sesame seeds. The process includes kneading dough to develop gluten, allowing it to rise twice for perfect texture, and baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup warm water
- ½ cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided use, room temperature)
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 egg white (for egg wash)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 package instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Milk: Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form on the sides, reaching about 181°F but not boiling. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and salt, stirring until the butter melts. Let the mixture cool to 105-110°F.
- Activate Yeast: In a separate bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and beaten egg to the cooled milk mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add Flour and Knead: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add 2 cups of flour and mix, then gradually add more flour until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on medium-low speed for 4-5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for 90-100 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Shape Buns: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, shaping each into a ball and flattening to about ½ inch thick and 3 inches in diameter. Place on the baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 60 minutes or until doubled.
- Prepare Egg Wash and Brush Buns: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it cool slightly. Whisk one egg white until foamy, then add the cooled melted butter and whisk to combine. Brush the buns with this egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the buns from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Do not let the milk boil; it should just have small bubbles to prevent killing the yeast.
- Ensure the milk mixture is cooled to the right temperature before adding yeast to avoid killing it.
- The dough should be soft but not overly sticky; add flour gradually.
- You can store baked buns in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.
- Optional: brush buns with melted butter after baking for extra softness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade hamburger buns, burger buns recipe, soft bread buns, dinner rolls, baking bread
