Use our bread dough recipe below, or make your favorite bread dough and let it rise once. You can do this first step in a bread maker or by hand: either way works fine.
Bread Machine:Layer ingredients in the order shown into bread maker and set on Dough Setting. Manual Kneading: Once you have mixed up your dough, transfer to a lightly-floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes; until the dough is soft and slightly elastic. Place kneaded dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow dough to rise for about an hour; until it doubles in volume.
TIP: When making hamburger buns, we like to throw in a handful of finely chopped onion into the dough for a little extra flavor.
Form the Dough into Buns
After the dough has completed the Dough Cycle (or the first rise if you are kneading by hand) turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, divide the dough into equal square portions.TIP: Make a combination of sizes so that there is something for every appetite.
Don’t stress if your little dough squares aren’t exactly the same. You can always take a bit from one and add it to another if you want.Now you will have a counter full little square dough-patties, ready to set out for the second rise.For Square Buns: Continue to the next step.For Round Buns: Gently pull the four corners of each square dough-patty together and pinch them together, and give the pinched portion a slight twist. Turn the pinched dough side down, and pat gently to form a round patty shape. Take care to not work the dough too much.
Proof the Buns (2nd Rise)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Place the dough-patties at least 1 inch apart on the lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel, and set in a warm place to rise again for about an hour.
(Optional) Just before you put the dough-buns in the oven, brush the tops with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water or milk). Be gentle as you do this, taking care to not deflate the rolls in the process. If you want to make poppy or sesame seeds buns, sprinkle the seeds on top right after you brush them with the egg wash.
Bake the Buns
Put the tray of rolls in the oven and bake at 375º | 180ºC for 15-20 minutes (depending on size) or until slightly browned on top.
Remove from the oven and cool on wire rack.To keep your buns soft, cover them with a clean kitchen towel immediately after they come out of the oven.
Allow the buns to cool on the tray for about 10 minutes, and then remove them to a wire rack to continue cooling. Keep buns covered until you are ready to eat.
Notes
As with all fresh, preservative-free bread, it’s best to eat your homemade burger buns within a day or two.Buns may also be frozen. Best used within three months.