Gourmet Golden Burger Buns
Elevate your burger experience with these homemade gourmet golden buns. These soft, buttery buns serve as the perfect cushion for your favorite hamburgers or sandwiches. Originating from the illustrious King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion and adapted from Ellen Dill's creation on bakingcircle.com, these buns perfectly encapsulate the art of home baking. If you love the idea of making your own bread and have a little time, these buns will transform your meal into something exceptional, promising satisfaction with every bite.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1 cup (none)
butter
2 tablespoons (softened)
egg
1 large (beaten)
unbleached flour
3 1/4 cups (none)
sugar
1/4 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
quick-rising yeast
1 tablespoon (none)
onion powder
1 teaspoon (optional)
dried onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Step 1: Prepare the Dough - In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of softened butter, 1 large beaten egg, 3 1/4 cups of unbleached flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of quick-rising yeast, 1 teaspoon of onion powder (optional), and 1/2 teaspoon of dried onion flakes. Mix and knead these ingredients thoroughly by hand or using a mixer with a dough hook, until the dough becomes soft and smooth.
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Step 2: First Rise - Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
3
Step 3: Shape the Buns - Gently punch down the dough to release excess air. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth, flattened ball. Place these formed buns onto a greased baking sheet.
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Step 4: Second Rise - Cover the buns loosely with a cloth and allow them to rise for 30-40 minutes, or until they are noticeably puffy.
5
Step 5: Baking - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once preheated, place the buns into the oven on the middle rack and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown on top.
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Step 6: Cooling - Remove the buns from the oven and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before cutting.
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Step 7: Serving Suggestions - For an enhanced burger experience, slice the buns horizontally, butter the cut sides, and toast them on a skillet with the buttered side down until they are golden brown and warmed through. Use these delightful buns to serve your favorite burgers or sandwiches.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Golden Burger Buns?
Gourmet Golden Burger Buns are soft, buttery, homemade bread rolls designed to elevate hamburgers or sandwiches with a professional, artisanal quality.
How many buns does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 8 equal-sized gourmet burger buns.
What is the recommended baking temperature for these buns?
The buns should be baked in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the burger buns need to bake?
Bake the buns for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they reach a beautiful golden brown color on top.
What type of yeast is required for this recipe?
This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of quick-rising yeast to ensure a efficient rise.
Is onion powder a mandatory ingredient?
No, the 1 teaspoon of onion powder is listed as an optional ingredient for added savory flavor.
How long is the first rise for the dough?
The dough should rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
How long is the second rise after shaping the buns?
The second rise takes approximately 30-40 minutes until the shaped buns are noticeably puffy.
What should the texture of the dough be after kneading?
After kneading by hand or with a dough hook, the dough should become soft and smooth.
How do I prepare the egg for the dough?
You should use 1 large egg that has been beaten before adding it to the mixing bowl.
Can I use dried onion flakes in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding 1/2 teaspoon of dried onion flakes to the dough for extra texture and flavor.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 3 1/4 cups of unbleached flour.
Why should I punch down the dough?
Gently punching down the dough helps release excess air bubbles before you divide and shape the buns.
How should I shape the buns?
Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a smooth, flattened ball.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Yes, you should place the formed buns onto a greased baking sheet to prevent sticking.
How should the buns be cooled?
Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before cutting.
What is a good serving suggestion for these buns?
Slice them horizontally, butter the cut sides, and toast them on a skillet until golden brown and warmed through.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe is adapted from the King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion and Ellen Dill's creation.
Does the butter need to be melted?
No, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of softened butter, not fully melted.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sugar, which contributes to the buns' golden color and slight sweetness.
Can I use a mixer for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a mixer with a dough hook or knead the ingredients thoroughly by hand.
What amount of water is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of water for the dough mixture.
Is salt necessary in the dough?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is used to balance the flavors and control the yeast activity.
What should I cover the dough with during the rise?
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out.
How do I know the second rise is done?
The second rise is complete when the buns appear noticeably puffy, usually after 30-40 minutes.
Should the water be hot or cold?
While not specified, yeast generally responds best to lukewarm water to activate properly without killing the yeast.
Can these buns be used for sandwiches?
Absolutely, they serve as a perfect cushion for both hamburgers and various sandwiches.
What makes these buns 'gourmet'?
The addition of butter, egg, and optional onion flavorings creates a richer, more flavorful bread than standard store-bought buns.
Can I bake these on a middle rack?
Yes, the instructions recommend placing the buns on the middle rack for even baking.
Is the crust hard or soft?
These are soft, buttery buns, typical of a high-quality brioche-style burger bun.