Beautiful Burger Buns
The following recipe created quite a stir when it was first posted on our message board page, www.bakingcircle.com. Baker after baker tried these buns and declared them THE BEST. Soft, vaguely sweet and golden-yellow from the butter and egg, these simple buns are perfect for burgers, but also fine for any kind of sandwich.
- 3/4 to 1 cup lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
Directions
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1) Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients—by hand, mixer, or bread machine—to make a soft, smooth dough. |
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2) Cover the dough, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it's doubled in bulk. |
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5) Bake the buns in a preheated 375°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, till golden. Cool on a rack. |
Recipe summary
- Hands-on time:
- 25 mins.
- Baking time:
- 15 mins.
- Total time:
- 40 mins.
- Yield:
- 8 buns
- Recipe comments (65) »
Tips from our bakers
- For best results (a smooth, slightly soft dough), use the smaller amount of water in summer (or in a humid environment), the greater amount in winter (or in a dry climate).
- When making anything with yeast, including these rolls, let the dough rise to the point the recipe says it should, e.g., "Let the dough rise till it's doubled in bulk." Rising times are only a guide; there are so many variables in yeast baking (how you knead the dough; what kind of yeast you use) that it's impossible to say that bread dough will ALWAYS double in bulk in a specific amount of time.
- What's the easiest way to shape buns? Gently deflate the dough, and form it into a smooth 8" log. Slice the log as though you were slicing cinnamon buns. Gently pull each slice into a circle.
- Brushing buns with melted butter will give them a soft, light golden crust. Brushing with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water to combine) will give them a shinier, darker crust. For seeded buns, brush with the egg wash; it'll make the seeds adhere.
Reviews
11/16/2009
Best recipe for buns I've eaten. I will be making these any time I want a burger or slopy joe from now on. (Well, as long as my bread machine lasts anyway)
11/01/2009
These are THE BEST buns ever!!! Followed the very easy directions and mine looked exactly like the picture. My husband is out right now getting the grill fired up so we can use these for our burgers tonight. The smell these produce will make your mouth water. Thanks soooo much for the great recipe KAF.....I now know I will NEVER buy store bought buns again! Why should I when these are so simple to make myself?!! AWESOME!
10/14/2009
These are great in the freezer. I make a double batch, freeze them in pairs, and mid-week, my husband and I can enjoy homemade buns with burgers and sandwiches.
10/06/2009
Dear King Arthur Bakers. I am a Dutch baker from Holland and made my home in the USA for many years. The recipe really received my attention and I decided to try it. I multiplied recipe by 4 for a yield of 36 buns. The burger buns were beautiful and delicious. One comment. I do agree with the comment to reduce the sugar amount, half of the amount should be enough. I made a picture of the buns if someone is interested, will E mail Thank you for your wonderful program Rene Vanderjagt
10/03/2009
Easy and delicious
10/01/2009
I JUST MADE THIS RECIPE FOR THE BUNS ON MY SLIDERS. THEY WERE PERFECT. I DIDN'T USE AS MUCH SUGAR, ONLY A TABLESP. IN WITH THE WATER AND YEAST. I USED A 2 INCH ICE CREAM SCOOP TO SCOOP THEM OUT ONTO THE COOKIE SHEET. THE RECIPE MAKES 24 THAT SIZE. LET THEM COOL , SLICED THEM IN HALF . USED MY SECRET SAUSE ON TOP AND BOTTOM, ADDED THE COOKED CHEESE BUGER AND WOW EVERYONE LOVES THEM. YOU CAN ALSO FREEZE THEM TILL YOU NEED THEM IF YOU WANT. I ALSO BRUSHED THE TOPS BEFORE BAKING WITH EGG AND WATER FOR A BEAUTIFUL SHINE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS
09/28/2009
Even though I had to throw mine out, I still give the recipe 5 stars. I'm very new to baking and screwed them up, somehow. They rose beautifully both times - maybe it was b/c I keep a baking stone on the bottom rack of my oven? My oven temp is off? It took them 30 minutes to bake. They were beautiful. What did I do?
Paula, Sounds like you had quite a few things going on with this recipe. I think It might be best to give our bakers a call on the Hot Line: 800-827-6836. They will be able to help you sort all of this out. Frank @ KAF.
09/21/2009
Excellent recipe and makes up really fast. Far better than the ones in the bakery section of the grocery stores in my area.
09/18/2009
I will NEVER buy buns in a package again! I made them with white flour and the next time tried 1/2 of wheat flour. The recipe is easy and the buns are delicious!
09/17/2009
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