I shared this recipe for homemade sandwich buns when I first started blogging and think it’s about time I share it again. I have been baking more bread in the last few months and it has made me really appreciate how quick and easy these delicious buns are to make. Start to finish…60 minutes. I wanted hamburger buns for this weekend but if you want hot dog buns just shape the dough into oblong pieces. If you make your own buns you can split them on the top lengthwise for shrimp or lobster rolls or make smaller slider buns. How versatile is that?

Homemade Sandwich Buns
This recipe was everywhere in bloggie land a few years ago and I read rave reviews about it at Once Upon A Plate, All That Splatter’s and How To Cook A Wolf to name just a few of those who enthusiastically wrote about it. I have made this recipe many times and it always turns out the way it is supposed to. Use your digital scale to make sure all the buns are the same size and the yield is what you want. A French trained pastry chef friend of mine told me the secret to getting that beautiful glaze on yeast breads: brush the tops with beaten egg yolks only – don’t use the whites – and add a few grains of sugar for a deep golden color.
Even a simple hamburger becomes something special when it’s served on a homemade bun. I hope you will try this quick and easy recipe for yourself. Your family will love you for it.
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 4-1/2 cups flour
- 1 package instant yeast (2-1/4 teaspoons)
- 1-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 beaten egg yolk
- Sesame and poppy seeds for sprinkling on top before baking
- Heat the milk, water, honey and butter until butter is melted. Check temperature and let cool to 120F. Carefully beat in egg.
- Mix 2 cups of the flour, yeast and salt. Mix into the milk mixture. Stir in the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time. Beat well after each addition.
- When the dough pulls together, (it will form a soft ball) turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. This should take about 5 minutes. I use a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment, then switch to the dough hook to knead. Add a little more flour while mixing with the dough hook, a little at a time until dough is no longer sticky.
- Divide the dough into 12-16 equal parts. I use my kitchen scale to do this so all the buns come out the same size and I get exactly the number of buns I want. The dough in this recipe weighs approxiately 2 pounds so if I want 12 buns I make each one 2-3/4 ounces. Buns this weight are about 3 inches across. This is small, but it's the perfect size for me and my grandchildren. If you want a larger bun use 4 ounces of dough for each one.
- Shape the dough into smooth balls, flatten slightly and place on a silicone mat covered baking sheet.
- Cover loosely with plastic film and allow to rise 30-40 minutes. When buns have almost doubled bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes.
- If desired, after buns have risen, brush tops with beaten egg yolk for a shiny glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds or coarse salt before baking.
This post is linked to March’s BYOB – Bake Your Own Bread event at girlichef.
Cathy, I am thrilled to decided to post this recipe again. I do want to try this and only 60 minutes…I guess I would have the time. sigh…..
Susan recently posted..Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza
Cathy, these are great photos! I can’t begin to count the number of buns/bread I have made over the years. I love working with yeast, something so satisfying about making your own bread/buns. My family was spoiled and rarely ate store bought anything! Thanks for sharing this quick recipe.
These look so good!
Thought you’d like to know that I’m making your German Chocolate Cake for my daughter’s birthday dinner this weekend. Soooo good!
Your first posting of this recipe is, rumpled and stained, in my recipe file. We rarely purchase buns any more. It is just as delicious as it looks!!
Best,
Bonnie
The buns look so good, especially with the egg salad. I would have loved that sandwich for lunch today!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Onion Soup
You make the most beautiful sandwiches!
Lea Ann recently posted..Sausage the Old-fashioned Way from North Denver Sausage Company
They REALLY look good, Cathy! I’m wondering if I can cut the recipe in half & just make 6 buns. It is really hard when there are only 2 people in the house & your crave a good hot dog. Who wants all those leftovers??? We just can’t eat them up fast enough before they spoil.
I never think to use the leftover hot dog buns for egg salad or tuna salad, though. I will gladly try your method Very, very soon!
Thanks for sharing & LOVE those photos with the seeds. I’m pinning those!
Rettabug recently posted..My Chickadees!
I just freeze my extra if you don’t mind frozen bread. 🙂
60 minutes!? You can bet I’ll be making these VERY soon! Awesome recipe, Cathy. I hope you’ll link it up to BYOB-Bake Your Own Bread this month (http://www.girlichef.com/2012/03/byob-bake-your-own-bread-march-2012.html)…and such beautiful shots. I would like a cheeseburger. Thank you 😉
Heather @girlichef recently posted..My Legume Love Affair (MLLA) #45 {Event Announcement}
Some of our earliest posts were our best recipes. This is a perfect example, Cathy. These really are fast and look perfect.
Wow, this must have been popular before I started blogging, so glad you reposted it Cathy! It’s bookmarked and I will be giving it a try:@)
Another winner; I agree with you about home made being special. Your photos are picture perfect and added to my board.
Rita
I cannot even imagine how delicious these buns must be! To have soft, fresh-baked buns for burgers has to be irresistible! Thanks for the recipe, Cathy!
Roz recently posted..Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Fresh Avocado Dip!
These are awesome! I’m printing this recipe to hand over to the baker in the family. I’m sad to say that I’m “yeast – phobic”.
Candace recently posted..Pork and Carrot Curry
This sounds like a recipe even I might be able to make. I rarely try any sort of bread.
Marilyn recently posted..Mama said there would be days like this!
I have a recipe almost identical for hamburger buns, and was just thinking that i needed to make some soon. I always forget about this recipe, and it is so easy. Delicious!!! I want an egg salad sammy now in the worst way!!
I have to make these again, and re-shoot them. I don’t like my photos of these at all. Yours are so purty!
Foodiewife recently posted..Sweet Endings: Fior di Latte Panna Cotta
So funny Cathy I just made these again the other night! We love them! Glad you do too! Thanks for the link!
L~xoxo
Linda recently posted..Cream Cheese Brownies….
Thanks ever so much for sharing this recipe again, Cathy! I have wanted to make homemade buns for ages – why I never have before is a mystery even to myself. Yours look absolutely perfect! Gorgeous! And, yes indeed, any burger or sandwich would become something special on a bun like this. Perfect!
Jamie recently posted..MOM’S CHOCOLATE CHIP NUT BREAD MY WAY
Beautiful photos and gorgeous sandwich. I love your blog !
These sandwich buns look bakery-perfect!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Dutch Crunchy Whole Wheat Bread
I can’t believe these jewels can be made in only 60 minutes. Very impressive. I’m so glad you’ve posted this again.
BTW, I saw the message at the top of the screen. I haven’t lost your blog in my dashboard so far. Hope to be able to continue to see it there. Makes one wonder why they mess with a good thing.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Short Ribs Provencale – an excellent dish for entertaining
Your home must have smelled heavenly Cathy!
bellini recently posted..Severine-Inspired Game Changing Maple Syrup-Marinated Wild Salmon
I will try making these rolls soon since I love simple recipes that works well:) Looks so delicious!
Jeannie recently posted..Glazed Oatmeal Cake
Cathy…hubby and I ..thank you so much 😀 , have a blessed Sunday xoxoxoxo, Flavia
These are beautiful buns, and love the recipe…I think even I might be able to make these 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday!
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for brunch? Clementine, Meyer Lemon and Ginger Juice
Cathy, the rolls look wonderful. I like the short prep time!
I am excited about the dinner. Thanks for putting it on your calender already. Can’t wait to meet you.
Kirsten@My German Kitchen…in the Rockies recently posted..Celebrating two years of blogging with Spicy Chocolate Cupcakes filled with Nutella Chili Chocolate Ganache and Chili Cream Cheese Frosting
Oh, these look delicious! I like your tip for the golden tops.
~Judy
JG recently posted..Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!
I love these! They are beautiful with the egg wash and if I can truly make them in 6o minutes I need to try them soon! I can make a big batch and then freeze a bunch…and save some money on rolls!
Gosh, those look so good. I’m adding this to my very long list of recipes I want to make!
Karen recently posted..Making a Sourdough Starter
I remember when these were flying around the web but had no idea they only took an hour to make. I need to pay more attention! Your site is looking gorgeous, Kathy – Love it!
kellypea recently posted..Cauliflower and Apple Salad with Radicchio
I remember when you posted these and I thought they sounded delicious. I have to try them. Yours came out so beautiful. Thank you for the tip about making the nice and shiny:)
Raina recently posted..Irish Freckle Bread
They look terrific Cathy and so does the egg salad.
Larry recently posted..Southwestern Fried Cod and Mary’s Casserole
Beautiful! I’ve made them before with great success, so I can definitely attest to the ease of this recipe. I need to make them again soon.
Yay – thanks for sharing with BYOB Cathy! 🙂 Love these.
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Seared Bean Sprouts w/ Beef and Sesame Orange Sauce {the Food Matters project}
These look just beautiful Cathy and I like the 60 second part too! I’m pinning!!!!!
renee recently posted..Melt In Your Mouth Chicken
Hahaha…that’s 60 minutes, Renee. These buns are quick to make but not that quick. I wrote seconds several times when I was writing the post.
Cathy recently posted..Homemade Sandwich Buns in 60 Minutes
Those are amazing looking!
I know I would luv them. Seem easy too.
Ramona recently posted..Here we come! Here I go!!!
Are these the Moomie Buns that I still have yet to try? They look so beautiful and delicious – I have got to get that recipe out and see if it’s the same.
Susan recently posted..An “EB Mine” Brunch~
I do think it is the same recipe, Susan. I remember “Moomie Buns” but don’t see that name in my file. Isn’t that what Mari used to call them? Whatever the name, these are delicious.
Cathy recently posted..Homemade Sandwich Buns in 60 Minutes
These buns look soooooooooooooooooooooo good! Can’t wait until the weekend rolls around again, I have time to bake. My mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing, Connie
these are just beautiful! i’d never think to make my own sandwich buns, YUM!
teresa recently posted..Energy Bites
The sandwich buns are beautiful. Thank for the tip about adding a little sugar to the egg wash to make that lovely brown color.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Spring…I Think Not
Those look fabulous Cathy! I’ll take 2 dozen!
Marie recently posted..Little Lasagnas with Tomato, Burrata and Pesto
I must have missed this one when it was the rage so I’m glad you posted it againl These buns look fantastic – can’t wait to try them – thanks Cathy!
The Cafe Sucre Farine recently posted..One Potato, Two Potato ……………Two Potato Swirls w/ Goat Cheese and Sweet Garlic
I’ve never thought to make my own hamburger buns… they look perfect!
Pam recently posted..Mini Chicken Meatball, Pasta, and Vegetable Soup
Wow – this is an amazing thing – they look great!
Steph W recently posted..Behind the Museum Cafe
I finally made these fantastic rolls last week Cathy. We love them! They freeze nicely too, which is nice since there are just the 2 of us now. I plan on keeping them around as they really are better than any store bought buns. Thanks!
Lynda recently posted..Homemade Sandwich Buns
Hi! These look delicious and I’m hoping to make them tomorrow. How would you suggest freezing and thawing leftovers? I also wondered if they can be made successfully without a silicone mat? Do you have any suggestions on this? Thanks!!
Made this recipe for bbq pulled beef sandwiches and the combination was delicious. Thank you for sharing this very recipe! I love that it is so verstile and will definitely be using it again!! 🙂
Oh my gosh, these look amazing and JUST what I am looking for to make after Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches! I just came across your blog when I googled homemade sandwich buns and I was so thrilled to see how quick they can be made AND w/my kitchen aid mixer. THANK YOU Cathy for re-posting!
Do you by chance know the weight of the flour? 5 ounces per cup? I have started weighing everything and it has helped me become a better cook. I make a half batch of the Cuisine At Home version that uses a pound of flour and a half pound of water, and a double rise. Although I really like them, this one-rise version may usurp them. I can’t wait to try them.
Hi Madonna –
Thank you so much for your question. I am paying more attention to precise measurements and have begun listing weights in addition to volumes in many of my recipes. I weighed a cup of the all-purpose flour I use and it varies between 4-3/4 and 5 ounces. Weighing ingredients is the only way to be precise about a recipe.
Cathy recently posted..Turkey Noodle Soup…and other turkey recipes
really nice rolls…they are gorgeous…but you really gotta flatten them or they will rise higher than you want for a sandwich bun imho…beautiful and delicious…thanks for the recipe
How many buns does this recipe make? I am serving sandwiches at my son’s birthday party this weekend and was going to buy buns, but these look so delicious and I love baking bread. I will need about 30-35 sandwiches so I need an idea of how many one batch yields.
Thanks
hmmmm, trying this today, they did not rise well, yeast issue maybe ? they should be out soon but they do not look like yours, uggggggg
I was looking for a easy bun recipe to make (because it would be my first time making buns) and I knew your recipe was the one for me when I saw your silpat! I could always trust a chef who uses their silpats! Thanks for sharing!!
I made these this morning. They were amazing! I halved the recipe and made 6 buns. Perfect for us and they tasted awesome with my tuna 🙂
Kirstin recently posted..Recipe: Oven Baked Sea Bass and Homemade Tartar Sauce
I shared about your rolls today. Didn’t post the recipe, but linked to your blog for people to come over and get it. They were so good! You are in my neck of the woods…I live right over the oregon border in Woodland, Wa 🙂 I can’t wait to read more of your blog. So glad I found it.
http://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2013/02/easy-sandwich-rolls-recipe-link.html
Kirstin recently posted..Easy Sandwich Rolls, recipe link
I made these for the umpteenth time today after getting home from the state fair. It always amazes me how fast they go…and was perfect for a tuna salad sandwich. We were exhausted but I didn’t want the DH to think fair food tasted better than home cooking…LOL…make these and you will agree they are about the best darned thing you can do for a simple sandwich supper!
Can’t wait to make these awesome looking slider buns! I used to bake bread all the time, when my kids were small…and now that I am looking forward to Fall, it is the perfect time to start rattling those pans again! Thanks for the recipe!
These rolls came out great. I did not put the egg wash or butter on top but will next time. Thanks for the recipe!
These rolls are fabulous and were so easy! The only adaptation I did was use 1/2 bread flour and 1/2 white whole wheat flour. My kids love them for their sandwiches every day at school!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for this amazing homemade sandwich buns recipe!! My daughters and I have decided these are the BEST buns I have ever made. Not only are they easy to make, the flavor and texture are delightful! We tried to put our finger on that awesome taste and decided they have the flavor of big, soft pretzels. I’m going to the store tomorrow to buy some coarse kosher salt to try just that. For today, I made 4 batches of the buns! Thank you, again and God bless you!
Arlene
I really want to try this. My bread recipes are a minimum of three hours. I usually use bread flour, will it make a difference or should I use all purpose flour?
first try, hockey pucks. second try dough doesnt seem to be rising. I make pizza crust all the time so I dont understand why I am having trouble…any help ?
Hi Steve – I apologize for taking so long to answer. I was on vacation. I don’t know why you had trouble with the buns rising. It had to be the yeast. I use either King Arthur Flour SAF gold active yeast or Red Star Active Dry Yeast and never have a problem. I couldn’t even guess how many times I’ve made this recipe and the results have always been excellent. I’m sure you checked the expiration date of your yeast. It can’t be anything else. I’m sorry for your problems. If you try the recipe again I hope it works for you.
Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I appreciate you reading my blog
Cathy