Inspired by the famous recipe from Savor Easy
If you love the aroma of freshly baked, pillow-soft bread filling your home, this recipe is for you These Buttersoft Buns are incredibly tender, rich, and remarkably easy to make. Follow along with this straightforward guide to baking your own perfect buns without failing.
Ingredients
For the Yeast Mixture:
- 1 tbsp Sugar (10g)
- 2 tsp Active Dry Yeast (6g)
- 1 cup Milk (237ml), warm
The Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter (110g), melted/softened
- 1 Large Egg
The Dry Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (437g)
- ¼ cup Sugar (50g)
- 1 tsp Salt (5g)
For the Egg Wash & Finishing:
- 1 Egg + 1 tbsp Milk (whisked together)
- Extra Unsalted Butter for brushing
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 tbsp of sugar, 2 tsp of active dry yeast, and 1 cup of warm milk. Give it a gentle mix and let it sit/bloom for about 10 minutes until foamy.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add ½ cup of unsalted butter and 1 large egg to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine.
- Form the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, ¼ cup of sugar, and 1 tsp of salt into the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula.
- Autolyse / Rest: Leave the sticky dough mixture uncovered to sit for 20 minutes. 💡 Note: Resting the dough helps the flour hydrate, making it much easier and less sticky to knead!
- Knead: Lightly sprinkle your work surface with flour. Turn out the dough, brush it with a bit of softened butter, and knead for about 10 minutes (or until it becomes completely smooth and elastic).
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough ball back into an oiled bowl. Cover tightly with cling film and let it rest for 1 hour (or until it has doubled in size).
- Shape the Buns: Gently punch down the dough to release any trapped gas. Transfer to your workspace and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Roll and tuck each piece tightly to form smooth dough balls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the 16 dough balls in a square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Cover the pan with cling film and let them rise a second time for 30 minutes.
- Bake: Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tbsp of milk to create an egg wash, then gently brush it over the tops of the risen buns. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes until beautifully golden brown.
- The Finishing Touch: As soon as the buns come out of the oven, generously brush the warm tops with a final coating of butter for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth glossy finish.