Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These homemade hamburger buns are soft and pillowy with just the right amount of structure to hold burgers and toppings without falling apart. The slight sweetness in the dough enhances the flavor of both classic and gourmet burgers.
Another reason to love this recipe is the freshness. Baking your own buns allows you to enjoy them warm from the oven with a soft interior and a beautifully golden crust.
They are also versatile and easy to customize. You can add sesame seeds, whole wheat flour, or different toppings to suit your taste. Once you try homemade buns, it’s hard to go back to store-bought versions.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
Optional topping:
1 egg (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon milk
sesame seeds
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, melted butter, and egg to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a smooth ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly to form bun shapes.
- Cover the buns and let them rise again for about 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the egg wash. Brush it over the buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the buns cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8 buns
Prep time: 20 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 8 minutes
Variations
Whole Wheat Buns
Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier bun.
Sesame Seed Buns
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top after brushing with egg wash for a classic burger bun look.
Brioche-Style Buns
Add an extra egg and a little more butter for richer, softer buns.
Garlic Butter Buns
Brush the baked buns with melted garlic butter for extra flavor.
Mini Slider Buns
Divide the dough into smaller portions to create slider-sized buns.
Storage/Reheating
Room Temperature
Store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration
Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days if needed.
Freezing
Wrap buns tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Warm the buns in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5–7 minutes or toast them lightly before serving.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients without proofing.
Why didn’t my buns rise properly?
This may happen if the yeast is expired or if the liquid used was too hot and killed the yeast.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated after the first rise and baked the next day.
How do I make the buns softer?
Adding milk and butter helps create a softer and richer texture.
Can I add toppings other than sesame seeds?
Yes, poppy seeds, everything seasoning, or oats can be used as toppings.
Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, bread flour can be used and will produce slightly chewier buns.
Should I toast the buns before serving?
Lightly toasting the buns can add flavor and help prevent them from becoming soggy.
Can I make these buns dairy-free?
Yes, substitute plant-based milk and dairy-free butter.
Why are my buns dense?
Dense buns may result from not kneading the dough enough or not allowing enough rising time.
Can I use these buns for sandwiches?
Yes, these buns work well for sandwiches, sliders, or even breakfast sandwiches.
Conclusion
Homemade Hamburger Buns are soft, flavorful, and far superior to store-bought options. With their fluffy interior and golden crust, they provide the perfect base for burgers, sandwiches, or sliders. Easy to customize and incredibly satisfying to bake, these buns are a wonderful addition to any homemade meal.
PrintHomemade Hamburger Buns
Copycat Costco Double Chocolate Muffins are rich, moist bakery-style muffins loaded with cocoa and chocolate chips, delivering a soft crumb and intense chocolate flavor in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 large muffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and sour cream until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips without overmixing the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them nearly to the top.
- Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins soft and tender.
- Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream for similar moisture.
- Adding espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individually wrapped muffins for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg