Homemade Hamburger Buns

These homemade hamburger buns will take your burger dining experience to the next level. Their tender, yet denser texture (compared to store-bought) easily stand up to the challenge of the juiciest burgers.

The easiest preparation method is using the dough cycle of a bread machine. I definitely recommend having one as part of your staple cookery tools.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons dry active yeast
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
7/8 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
Melted butter, as needed

Cooking Directions:

1. Directions for Dough Using Bread Machine: Place all ingredients into bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough setting. When cycle is completed, remove the dough from the machine. Proceed with the instructions to shape and bake.
2. Directions for Dough Using Food Processor: Place milk, butter, egg, sugar, yeast and salt in bowl of food processor and pulse to dissolve yeast. Add the flour and process until a soft ball forms. Remove from processor and place in a large bowl that has been coated with oil, turning the dough once in the bowl to coat with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for an hour, or until it doubles in volume. Proceed with the instructions to shape and bake.
3. Directions for Dough Using Dough hook: Place milk, butter, egg, sugar, yeast and salt in bowl of mixer and stir on low speed to dissolve yeast. Add flour and knead with dough hook to form a smooth and elastic dough, about 8 minutes. Remove dough from bowl and place in a large bowl that has been coated with oil, turning the dough once in the bowl to coat with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for an hour, or until it doubles in volume. Gently deflate dough and proceed with the instructions to shape and bake.
4. Directions for Dough By Hand: Place milk, butter, egg, sugar, yeast and salt in large mixing bowl and stir to dissolve yeast. Stir in flour and knead on a lightly floured work surface to form a smooth and elastic dough, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place dough in a large bowl that has been coated with oil, turning the dough once in the bowl to coat with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for an hour, or until it doubles in volume. Gently deflate dough and proceed with the instructions to shape and bake.
5. Shape the Buns: Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and shape into smooth, rounded balls by gently stretching and tucking the ends of the dough under so that the tops are well-rounded and smooth.
6. Place dough balls at least 2-inches apart onto a greased baking sheet and flatten each to the desired circumference for hamburger buns. Cover with a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper, that has been lightly coated with cooking spray, and let rise in a warm place for 40 to 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
7. Bake the Buns: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until buns are golden brown.
8. Brush tops of buns with melted butter. Allow buns to cool in pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before removing to cool completely.

Makes 8 hamburger buns.

Tip: These hearty buns also make terrific sandwiches, too!

Recipe and photograph by Hope Cantil; copyright © 2018; properties of CooksRecipes.com. See Terms of Use.