Sourdough Hamburger Bun Recipe
Soft with an amazing flavor and texture, Sourdough Hamburger Buns will take your burgers to the next level.
large buns
Ingredients
- 8 oz active sourdough starter (1 cup, 100% hydration)
- 2 oz warm water (¼ cup)
- 15 oz bread flour (3 cups, see note)
- 6 oz whole milk (¾ cup)
- 1 oz unsalted butter (room temp)
- 1 oz granulated sugar (2 tablespoons)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz active sourdough starter, 2 oz warm water and 1/2 cup of the bread flour to form a thick batter. Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to rise for 30-60 minutes.
- Warm 6 oz whole milk in the microwave to scalding. Add 1 oz unsalted butter to the milk and stir until the butter melts. Allow the milk to cool to 110°F. Add the milk, 1 oz granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons salt and 1 large egg to the sponge. Mix to combine.
- Add half of the remaining bread flour. Mix until the batter looks like thick pancake batter. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook.
- With the mixer running, slowly add the remaining bread flour. Mix until the dough begins to gather on the hook and clears the sides of the bowl. Knead for 5 minutes. If mixing by hand, add as much of the flour as you can in the bowl then finish kneading in the rest of the flour by hand And then knead 5 minutes.
- Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Knead to form a smooth ball. If the dough is very sticky sprinkle a little more flour as you knead. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover and set aside in a warm spot for the initial fermentation.
- Each hour during fermentation, lift one side of the dough and fold it into the middle of the dough. Repeat with the other three sides of the dough then flip the dough over. You're basically turning the dough inside-out to redistribute the yeast and strengthen the gluten.
- After 3 hours the dough should be lively, elastic and airy. If the dough is still sluggish give it another hour or two at room temperature. If you want to finish making the buns the next day return the dough to the bowl, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning continue with shaping. Otherwise continue shaping the buns on the same day.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 8 equal portions (see note). Roll each portion to a ball and set them a parchment lined baking sheet. Use the palm of your hand to flatten each ball to a disc about 1" thick. Alternately, you can run a rolling pin over the dough to flatten.
- Cover the sheet pan and allow the rolls to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour, longer if the dough is cold). Press a roll with your finger. If it springs right back it's not ready, if the dent slowly fills in the rolls are ready to bake.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Brush the tops of the buns with egg wash. Sprinkle each bun generously with sesame seeds. Bake until the buns are golden brown and feel light when lifted off the sheet pan, about 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
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Notes
If measuring the flour by volume use the “dip & sweep” method. That is, dip the measuring cup into the flour bin, overfill it, then sweep away the excess.
For 1/4 lb burgers make 8 buns. For sliders make 12 buns.
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @eileen.bakingsense or tag #bakingsense!