Description
Delicious homemade hamburger and hot dog buns with a rich buttery texture, topped with your choice of seeds or seasoning. These soft, golden brown buns are perfect for any grill-out or meal, offering homemade freshness in just 40 minutes of active prep and baking time.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus 3-4 tablespoons melted and cooled)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Topping Ingredients
- 2-4 tablespoons sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, sea salt flakes, poppy seeds, dehydrated onion or your preferred topping
Instructions
- Prepare Butter and Honey Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the honey until combined.
- Add and Adjust Milk Temperature: Slowly stir in the milk and whisk the mixture together. The temperature should reach 110°F; if too cool, warm gently on the stove, if too warm, let cool off heat to reach 110°F.
- Bloom the Yeast: Pour the warm mixture into a stand mixer bowl and stir in the yeast. Let it stand for 8-10 minutes until foamy and active.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Roughly stir in the egg, flour, sugar, and salt.
- Knead Dough: Attach the dough hook to your mixer and knead on medium speed for 5-8 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides and clings to the hook; the dough will be sticky and soft.
- Shape Dough Ball and First Rise: Remove the dough, shape into a ball on a lightly floured surface or your hands. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, cover loosely with plastic wrap or a towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
- Divide Dough: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal portions (approximately 104 grams each).
- Shape Hamburger Buns: For each portion, gently pat to deflate, then form into tight, round balls by folding and rolling them under your hand on the counter. Place buns on a lined baking sheet spaced 4 inches apart for individual buns or 2 inches apart for pull-apart rolls.
- Shape Hot Dog Buns: For hot dog shaped buns, deflate dough, fold the top quarter into the middle pressing to create surface tension, repeat folds to form a log. Roll gently to a length of about 4.5 inches. Place on lined baking sheet spaced similarly to hamburger buns.
- Second Rise: Brush buns generously with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover loosely and let rise at room temperature for about 1 hour until puffed.
- Preheat Oven: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Buns for Baking: Remove plastic wrap and brush buns again with remaining melted butter. Sprinkle with your chosen toppings evenly.
- Bake: Bake buns for about 20 minutes until golden brown and warm. Serve them warm or at room temperature, or slice and toast as preferred.
Notes
- Make sure the milk temperature is exactly around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- The dough will be sticky, but resist adding too much flour to keep buns soft.
- You can vary the toppings according to your taste preferences, such as poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or sea salt flakes.
- If your kitchen is warm, check the dough rising time, it might be shorter than 1.5 hours.
- Store leftover buns in an airtight container and toast before serving to refresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
