Ah, you’re looking for a bun recipe! There are so many different types of buns you can make, from soft, sweet cinnamon buns to savory ones like burger buns or dinner rolls. I’ll share a basic recipe for soft homemade buns, which you can use for burgers, sandwiches, or just to enjoy on their own!
Soft Homemade Buns Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for greasing)
- 1 tbsp milk or egg wash (for brushing)
Instructions:
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Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. This means the yeast is activated and ready.
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Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Mix everything together until a dough starts to form. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook or knead by hand for about 10 minutes.
- If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together and is smooth and elastic.
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Let the Dough Rise:
- Coat a large bowl with vegetable oil and place the dough in the bowl. Cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap.
- Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
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Shape the Buns:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles.
- Divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions (depending on how large or small you want your buns). Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
- Place the shaped dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Alternatively, you can place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan for closer-set buns.
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Second Rise:
- Cover the shaped buns with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes, until they’ve puffed up.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while the buns are doing their second rise.
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Bake the Buns:
- Brush the tops of the buns with a little milk or an egg wash (1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tbsp water) to give them a golden, shiny finish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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Cool:
- Let the buns cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing them. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Sweet Buns: Add a little cinnamon and sugar to the dough if you want a sweet twist, or make them into cinnamon rolls by rolling the dough flat, spreading with butter, sprinkling with cinnamon-sugar, and rolling it up before slicing.
- For Softer Buns: If you want super soft buns, you can brush the tops with butter right when they come out of the oven.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can freeze the buns for longer storage, just thaw and warm them up before serving.
Enjoy your homemade soft buns! Let me know if you’d like any variations or have any questions.