I am in love with these buns! Annie titled these "The Perfect Burger Bun" and I would have to agree. My only regret is that I didn't try this recipe this summer when grilling was in full swing! However, I have been sandwiching pulled pork and shredded beef between these buns this fall.
In the past, I always struggled finding store-bought burger buns that we really liked. They were always either too dense, or too stale. Never the right consistency. These buns are light and fluffy, with a wonderful buttery taste. We now always have some of these buns ready in our freezer. "Bye-bye" store-bought!
You'll be surprised on how easy these come together. The hardest part for me was shaping to a perfect round bun. Although, even that became simple once I got the hang of it. This recipe makes 8-10 regular sized buns, but I'll be whipping up some miniature ones this week to serve at Judah's birthday party. (He turned ONE today!!) I'll let you know how many mini's it makes!
*UPDATE 1/4/11: I ran out of time and did not use homemade buns for Judah's party, so not sure how many "mini's" this recipe makes.
Recipe Card
Burger Buns
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons warm milk
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (or 1 package)
- 2 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups bread flour
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tablespoon unsalted butter , softened
For topping:
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water , for egg wash
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, combine the milk, water, yeast, sugar, salt and egg. Mix in the bread flour and all-purpose flour. Once incorporated, mix in the butter. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead on low speed until the dough is somewhat tacky, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a bowl lightly brush with olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, between 1 to 2 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts (if using a kitchen scale, 3.9 oz each). Gently pull back the sides of each to form a ball and place on the baking sheet, 2 to 3 inches apart. Cover loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise again for 30 minutes to no more than 1 hour.
- Fill a large metal pan with a shallow layer of water and set on the lowest rack of the oven. Move the other rack to the center position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the tops of the buns lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake buns for about 15 minutes, until golden brown, rotating halfway through. (Be very careful when opening the oven door after baking and watch out for the steam!) Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutrition
Mara says
I tried making these today and everything looked good through the rise and all the way until putting the egg wash on. They completely deflated, but I figured hey, sometimes that happens and they bounce back in the oven - not at all. I have 8 sad, wrinkled, flat hockey pucks. What a pity.
Nikki says
Sorry to hear that Mara. I make these very often and haven't had that problem, so I'm stumped as to what happened for you. Hope you give it another shot! 🙂
Katelyn says
These are wonderful and SO easy, thanks for the recipe!
Kim says
I absolutely LOVE these buns and they freeze very well. I just made them last week and we had burgers one night and BBQ chicken the next night. AMAZING and super easy. This dough is SUPER sticky though, and just like Annie says, DON'T add extra flour! Enjoy!
Nikki says
Yes! The dough is rather sticky so it's tempting to add flour. But, you're right, don't do it! 🙂 Love having a few ready in the freezer at all times, too!
sliceofsouthern says
I just made you burger buns and posted about them! They were excellent!! Thanks for such a great recipe find!!!
Sharon says
Just wondering... can I still make these if I don't have one of those awesome kitchen aid mixers that EVERYONE (except me) has? If so, how?
I do have a bread machine that I can set on 'dough' setting!
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Sharon,
Yes, pretty much any dough recipe can be made by hand, as well. I prefer using the stand mixer because it's easier, but sometimes just using your hands is a refreshing way to go. 🙂 If you click on the Smitten Kitchen link at the bottom of my post, she gives instructions for hand mixing. I'm not sure about the bread machine 'dough' setting as I have never used one myself.
-Nikki
Rich says
Christmastime though it may be, I suddenly have images of ground beef patties and caramelized onions dancing through my head ... I have been needing a good bun recipe for a long time; this looks spot on!
Melissa says
Okie dokie. So I made these today for sloppy joe's. Fantastic! Bub-bye store bought buns, bub-bye.
Amanda says
Hello! I think these look so yummy. I featured them on my blog today - hope you can stop by! And if you don't mind - while your there clicking on my widget. Each click we get P&G is donating 1 days worth of water! Thanks! Hope you have an awesome birthday party!!
Amanda
todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com
kelly says
These look yummy!! I've never made homemade buns before, but your pictures are persuading me to try them!! Happy Birthday to your little sweetie!!
Melissa says
These look fantastic and I know I will be trying them the next time we need buns. Trying so hard to get away from store bought everything as much as possible. :o)
Krystle Thorn says
I love everything on Annies site! Now I am dying to try these out. Just stumpled on her blog from hers and Ive been on here forever drooling over yours recipes and pictures!