AuthorKathleen GloverCategorySides, SnacksDifficultyIntermediateMaking your own bread at home doesn't have to be intimidating, but it will most definitely impress anyone you serve them to. With a little patience, time, and elbow grease you can create immensely buttery pillows ready for whatever toppings you put on them. I recommend pairing these buns with our Copycat Popeye’s Fried Chicken Sandwich or with any of your favorite burger/sandwich recipe.
In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, warm milk, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy. This step is called "blooming" or "proofing" the yeast. It makes sure the yeast is alive and ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, the softened butter, and the melted butter. Mix with your hands until the mixture has a consistent texture.
Add in the bloomed yeast from earlier, along with 2 of your eggs. Again, using your hands, mix until there is a uniform consistency. The dough will be very loose at this step.
Empty the bowl onto a floured work surface and liberally flour the the dough. Knead the dough until the dough forms a smooth ball or passes the windowpane test. This should take between 7-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer for this step.
Transfer the dough to a clean bowl and cover. Keep the dough in a warm spot in your kitchen to help with rising. The dough will need to double in size, the duration of this step will depend on the warmth in your kitchen so just keep an eye on it.
When the dough has doubled, empty the bowl back onto your floured work surface and knead an additional 1-2 minutes more to deflate the dough.
Cut the dough into 6 even sections, a bench scraper works wonderfully for this step.
Working with one section at a time, shape the dough into bun shapes. You can do this by gathering the dough under the bun, where the bottom of the bun will be. This leaves a smooth and round top.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the buns on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover. Allow them to rise an additional 15 minutes in a warm place.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg with 1 tbsp milk to create an egg wash. Brush the buns liberally with this egg wash.
Bake buns for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Ingredients
Directions
In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, warm milk, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy. This step is called "blooming" or "proofing" the yeast. It makes sure the yeast is alive and ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, the softened butter, and the melted butter. Mix with your hands until the mixture has a consistent texture.
Add in the bloomed yeast from earlier, along with 2 of your eggs. Again, using your hands, mix until there is a uniform consistency. The dough will be very loose at this step.
Empty the bowl onto a floured work surface and liberally flour the the dough. Knead the dough until the dough forms a smooth ball or passes the windowpane test. This should take between 7-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer for this step.
Transfer the dough to a clean bowl and cover. Keep the dough in a warm spot in your kitchen to help with rising. The dough will need to double in size, the duration of this step will depend on the warmth in your kitchen so just keep an eye on it.
When the dough has doubled, empty the bowl back onto your floured work surface and knead an additional 1-2 minutes more to deflate the dough.
Cut the dough into 6 even sections, a bench scraper works wonderfully for this step.
Working with one section at a time, shape the dough into bun shapes. You can do this by gathering the dough under the bun, where the bottom of the bun will be. This leaves a smooth and round top.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the buns on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover. Allow them to rise an additional 15 minutes in a warm place.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg with 1 tbsp milk to create an egg wash. Brush the buns liberally with this egg wash.
Bake buns for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.