Perfect Soft Burger Buns

Name: Perfect Soft Burger Buns
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup warm water (about 110°F); 1/4 cup sugar; 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet); 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp milk (for brushing); 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing after baking); 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for topping)

AI Kitchen

Jun 30, 2024

Elevate your homemade burgers with these Perfect Soft Burger Buns, crafted to deliver the same softness and light texture as those from your favorite fast-food chains. These buns are incredibly fluffy, buttery, and slightly sweet, making them the ideal foundation for any burger creation. With a golden brown exterior and a tender interior, these buns will complement your patties perfectly. Follow our easy-to-understand recipe to create 10 delicious burger buns that will impress your family and friends. Whether you're grilling outdoors or cooking on the stovetop, these buns will enhance your burger experience, making every bite delightful. Plus, they are perfect for freezing, so you can enjoy fresh, homemade buns anytime you want!

Jump to recipe

My husband makes the best burgers in the world. Usually, we buy the buns, but this time I decided to use AI to help me make my own. I wanted them to be just as soft as the ones from fast food chains:

Create the perfect burger bun recipe. It should be McDonald's and Burger King level soft

In no time I got this:

ChatGPT text: Here's a recipe for super soft burger buns, similar to those from McDonald's and Burger King: Perfect Soft Burger Buns Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup warm water (about 110°F) 1/4 cup sugar 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet) 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 large egg 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp milk (for brushing) 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for topping)

However, I was still a bit skeptical:

Is this how they make them at McDonald's?

Well, not exactly, according to the AI:

ChatGPT prompt: The exact recipe and process McDonald's uses for their burger buns are proprietary and not publicly available. However, the recipe provided aims to replicate the softness and texture of McDonald's and Burger King buns as closely as possible for a home kitchen setting. Commercial bakeries like those that supply McDonald's typically use specialized equipment, processes, and ingredients that can be difficult to replicate exactly at home. This often includes the use of dough conditioners, specific types of flour, and baking techniques optimized for consistency and shelf life. For home bakers, the key elements to achieve similar softness include: Proper hydration of the dough. Using an appropriate amount of sugar and fat (like butter or milk). Allowing enough time for fermentation and proofing to develop the dough's structure. Gentle handling of the dough to maintain its airy texture. The recipe provided incorporates these principles to help you achieve a similar result.

I wanted to know how many this was supposed to yield because as I started to make make dough balls, it seemed like 10 would be the right number. I also wanted to know the nutritional value for 10 buns. Lastly, the buns came out crispier than the fast food buns so I put butter:

How many buns will it make? What is the serving size? How many calories per serving? How many servings? What is the prep time? I made 10 buns. Give me updated caloric values as well as nutritional value, together with updated recipe. It came out a little crispy on top so I brushed them with melted butter. Please adjust recipe, and include a description in the recipe

Elevate your homemade burgers with these Perfect Soft Burger Buns, crafted to deliver the same softness and light texture as those from your favorite fast-food chains. These buns are incredibly fluffy, buttery, and slightly sweet, making them the ideal foundation for any burger creation. With a golden brown exterior and a tender interior, these buns will complement your patties perfectly. Follow our easy-to-understand recipe to create 10 delicious burger buns that will impress your family and friends. Whether you're grilling outdoors or cooking on the stovetop, these buns will enhance your burger experience, making every bite delightful. Plus, they are perfect for freezing, so you can enjoy fresh, homemade buns anytime you want!

Prep Time: About 30 minutes (active)

Rise Time: 1-2 hours (first rise) + 30-40 minutes (second rise)

Bake Time: 15-18 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 2.5-3 hours

Servings: 10

Calories per Serving: Approximately 180-190 calories

Perfect Soft Burger Buns

Burger in bun on plate, 2 bites, oozing melted cheese

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp milk (for brushing)
2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing after baking)
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

Activate the Yeast:

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir until dissolved and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Prepare the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for about 5-7 minutes.

First Rise:

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Buns:

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 10 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Gently flatten each ball with the palm of your hand to about 1/2 inch thickness.

Second Rise:

Cover the shaped buns with a kitchen towel and let them rise again in a warm place for about 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.

Bake the Buns:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brush the tops of the buns with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.