Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Hamburger Buns
Most store-bought hamburger buns are loaded with additives you'd rather not think about, including dyes that have no business being in a simple bread roll. This from-scratch version keeps things beautifully clean — just flour, yeast, butter, egg, sugar, salt, and water, with optional sesame seeds on top for that classic look. The result is a soft, pillowy bun with a gorgeous golden crust that holds up to even the juiciest burger without falling apart. Kneading the dough until it's smooth and elastic is the real secret here, giving each bun that satisfying, slightly chewy interior you just can't get from a plastic bag. The egg wash brushed on before baking delivers a rich, shiny finish that looks like it came from a proper bakery. These buns are a genuine upgrade for backyard cookouts, weeknight dinners, or anyone who wants to know exactly what's in their food.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the dough
- 1 cup warm water (105–110°f / 40–43°c)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 ½ tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
For the egg wash
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl). Stir briefly and let stand for 5–8 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the mixture smells yeasty.
- 2
Add the flour, salt, softened butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook (or stir with a wooden spoon) until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes.
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