Soft Homemade Hamburger Buns with Buttered Tops
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Eight soft buns, brushed with butter the second they leave the oven. Most of the three hours is the dough rising while you do something else, and the smell finds everyone in the house anyway.
The short version
Knead an enriched milk-and-egg dough, let it rise, divide into 8 balls, flatten them, rise again, brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 15 to 18 minutes. Brush with butter as they come out.
What makes ours better
the tricks Nonna pretends she never taught me
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Add an egg and use milk. Milk and an egg make the crumb softer and the crust more golden than a water dough, and the buns stay fresh longer.
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Weigh the dough and flatten the balls. Equal pieces bake evenly, and pressing the balls to about 3 inches keeps them from baking into tall domes that won't fit a patty.
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Brush with butter when they come out. Hot buns soak up melted butter, which softens the crust so it bites cleanly rather than cracking.
What you need
the cast, in order of appearance
- Whole milk½ cup
- Sugar1 tablespoon
- Unsalted butter1 tablespoon
- Active dry yeast1¼ teaspoons
- Egg1 large
- All-purpose flour3 cups
read it twice. buy it once.
Steps
nobody opens the oven door. looking at you, Dad.
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Mix the dough
Whisk the milk, water, sugar, melted butter and yeast in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add the beaten egg, flour and salt and stir until a shaggy, sticky dough forms, adding up to ¼ cup more flour only if it's very wet. Cover and rest 15 minutes.
About 15 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Knead
Knead on a lightly floured counter, or with the dough hook on medium-low, for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. When you press it, it should spring back slowly.
The dough should feel tacky, not sticky. Add flour a spoonful at a time, not a handful.
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First rise
Put the dough in an oiled bowl, turn it once to coat, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
About 60 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Divide and shape
Turn the dough out and divide it into 8 equal pieces, weighing them if you have a scale. Round each into a tight ball, then set them 3 inches apart on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet and press each down to about 3 inches wide.
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Second rise
Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let the buns rise until puffy, about 30 to 45 minutes. Heat the oven to 375°F during the last 15 minutes.
About 35 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Wash and bake
Brush the buns gently with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until deep golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
About 16 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Butter and cool
Brush the hot buns with the melted butter and move them to a rack. Cool completely before slicing so the crumb sets.
Good to know
things I learned the hard way, so you can skip that part
- For a taller burger bun, shape the balls tight and don't flatten them quite as much. Bake an extra minute or two.
- To toast, split the buns, brush the cut sides with butter and brown them in a skillet for 1 minute before building the burgers.
- Make hot dog buns by shaping each piece into a 6-inch log and baking at the same temperature.
- Storage. Room temperature in a zip-top bag, 2 days. Freeze up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Questions, answered
the questions my cousins text me
Can I use bread flour for hamburger buns?
Yes. Bread flour gives a chewier bun, and you may need a tablespoon or two more liquid. All-purpose gives the softer crumb that most people want.
Why are my homemade buns dense?
Usually the dough was under-risen or too much flour got in. Let it double in size and add flour only when the dough is truly sticky.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. After kneading, put the dough in an oiled covered bowl in the fridge overnight, then shape it straight from the fridge and let the buns rise a little longer.
How do I get sesame seeds to stick?
Sprinkle them right after the egg wash, while it's still wet.
How do I know when the buns are done?
They should be deep golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. An instant-read thermometer should read about 190°F in the center.
From the table
Made it? Tell me everything. Especially if somebody said it was better than their mother’s. I’ll keep your secret.
Made it?
be honest. I can take it. probably.
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Published October 29, 2026.