Description
Soft, pillowy, and slightly sweet homemade hot dog buns that are easier than you think. This recipe uses a milk bath method and steam to create a bakery-quality, airy crumb with a glossy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g (4 cups) Bread Flour
- 7g (1 packet) Instant Yeast
- 50g (1/4 cup) Granulated Sugar
- 10g (2 tsp) Salt
- 240ml (1 cup) Whole Milk, warmed
- 50g (1/4 cup) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 Large Egg, room temperature
- 1 cup Water (for steam bath)
- 1 Egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- Melted butter (optional, for brushing after baking)
Instructions
- Warm the milk to 110°F (43°C). Stir in sugar and softened butter until dissolved. Let cool to 100°F (38°C).
- In a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook, combine bread flour and salt. Mix on low for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the warm milk mixture and egg. Mix on low until a shaggy dough forms (2 minutes).
- Knead on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, and smooth. It should pass the windowpane test.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into an oval and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Cover loosely and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a shallow roasting pan with 1 cup of water on the bottom rack to create steam.
- Brush the tops of the buns with beaten egg.
- Bake on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
- Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack. Brush with melted butter if desired for extra softness.
Notes
Use a milk bath method (steam in the oven) to ensure soft crusts. Do not let the milk get too hot (above 110°F) or you will kill the yeast. If your kitchen is cold, proof the dough in a turned-off oven with the light on. Let buns cool completely before slicing to prevent a gummy interior.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: hot dog buns, homemade bread, soft bread recipe, yeast bread, summer cookout, bakery style buns, easy bread recipe