Short Description

These soft and fluffy hamburger buns are made with a lightly sweet dough enriched with eggs and shortening. Perfect for all kinds of burgers or sandwiches.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor.
Simple ingredients that come together beautifully.
Soft but structure-rich enough to hold burgers or fillings.
Makes a generous batch — ideal for meal prep or gatherings.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 cups warm water
4 Tbsp dry yeast
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp salt
2 eggs
½ cup shortening
6¼ cups all-purpose flour

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in warm water.
Whisk in sugar, salt, eggs, and shortening until well combined.
Stir in the flour gradually and knead for about 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Divide the dough: cut in half, then cut each half into 16 equal pieces—32 pieces total. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
Place the dough balls onto an ungreased 18×13-inch cookie sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Allow the buns to rise on the sheet until nearly tripled in size or at least large enough to make a typical hamburger bun.
Bake on the lower rack of the oven at 350 °F (175 °C) for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and cool before slicing.

Servings And Timing

Yield: About 32 buns, depending on size
Prep Time: ~15 minutes (mixing and shaping)
Rise Time: ~30 minutes (first rise) + second rise until buns are fully puffed on sheet
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: ~60 minutes depending on second rise duration

Variations

Seeded tops: Brush buns with egg wash and sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds before baking.
Whole wheat: Replace up to half of the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Honey-sweetened: Substitute half or all of the sugar with honey for a different sweetness.
Butter instead of shortening: Melt ½ cup butter and use in place of shortening for a slightly richer flavor.
Mini slider size: Roll each bun smaller for slider-sized portions; reduce baking time as needed.

Storage/Reheating

To Store: Keep cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze in a resealable bag for up to 2 months.
To Reheat: Refresh in a 350 °F oven for 5 minutes or microwave under a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds.

FAQs

How Do I Know The Yeast Is Properly Activated?
Look for frothy bubbles or foam on the surface of the yeast mixture after a few minutes—that means it’s active.

What If The Dough Is Too Sticky After Kneading?
Dust hands or surface lightly with flour, a tablespoon at a time, until manageable without over-drying.

Can I Make Fewer Buns With This Dough?
Yes—you can halve the recipe or adjust size when cutting and shaping. Baking time may vary with bun size.

What’s The Best Way To Shape Smooth Buns?
Roll on a clean surface using your palm to create surface tension on the dough ball—it helps them rise evenly and bake round.

Why Bake On The Lower Rack?
That positioning ensures the bottom of the buns rise and set properly without over-browning on top too soon.

How Can I Add Flavor To The Buns?
Try garlic powder, dried onion flakes, or herb mixes kneaded into the dough; swirl in a bit of honey or dried minced onion for savory sweetness.

Can I Brush The Buns With Egg Wash?
Yes—use an egg wash before baking for a shiny and golden crust.

What If My Buns Don’t Rise Enough?
Make sure your rising environment is warm (around 75–80 °F). If it’s cool, give more time until visibly risen.

How Do I Keep The Buns Soft Later On?
Stack cooled buns in a sealed bag with a slice of bread inside to help maintain moisture and softness.

Are These Buns Good For Freezing?
Absolutely—once fully cooled, wrap or bag them for freezing. Thaw on the counter and refresh in the oven if desired.

Conclusion

These homemade hamburger buns are tender, flavorful, and easy to make in large batches. With just pantry staples like eggs, shortening, and flour, you can bake soft, sandwich-ready rolls that rival store-bought favorites. Customize with seeds, flavors, or sizes—and enjoy fresh buns on demand!