Hamburger Buns

These hamburger buns are delicious, soft, fluffy, and will have you never going back to store-bought!
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (105–110°F)
- 2 Tbsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup + 1 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ Tbsp (1½ tsp) salt
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup shortening (or 52 g shortening)
- 3⅛ cups bread flour (about 375 g)
If the dough feels a little sticky after kneading, add an additional 1–3 tablespoons of flour as needed.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the sugar, salt, egg, and shortening. Mix until combined.
- Stir in the bread flour and knead for 7–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30–60 minutes, or until doubled.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a tight ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2–3 inches between each bun. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your hand.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy and nearly doubled.
- For a shiny top, brush with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water). Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches about 190°F.
- Brush the tops with melted butter immediately after baking for extra softness.