My easy buns recipe can take on many forms. Buns, rolls, pizza dough, pretzels, hoagie rolls, and much more! This is an easy dinner roll recipe! A stand mixer works great with this recipe, if not, then a bowl, wooden spoon and clean hands will do the trick. The easy buns recipe is a great make-ahead recipe or a last minute recipe. There is only 20 minutes of active time cooking. The rest of the time is spent waiting for the dough to rise and waiting for it to bake. The dough for the buns is very forgiving.
The yeast
Proofing the yeast is essential to the success of your breads and buns. If the yeast is not active or alive then your bread will not rise. This recipe calls for rapid rise or fast acting yeast. The name said it all. The rapid rise yeast shortens the rise time of the dough. Combine the yeast, honey, and warm water. The yeast will feed on the sugar and expand. This YouTube time lapse video will show you what to look for. Once you see this happening it is time to move on to add the flour.
Adding the flour and the rise
Normally I use all purpose flour. Experimenting with different flours may yield a recipe your family will enjoy. So make it your own! I try to remember to sift the flour but it is not necessary. Add half of the flour until just combined, then add the second half. When combined, knead the dough by a mixer hook or by hand for about five minutes. The dough can be a bit wet.
When you are done kneading, coat the inside of a large bowl with the olive oil and place the dough into the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and place in a warm and humid environment for one hour or until the dough has doubled in size. I usually place mine in the microwave (don’t cook the dough!).The microwave provides a small warm space for the dough to do its thing.
Shaping the buns and the second rise
Split the dough into eight pieces. This is what I usually do. If you want a different size then please remember that baking times will change. Fold the dough to the center and repeat every 90 degrees. Roll each piece of dough into a ball by placing your hands under the ball and pulling the bottom of the dough toward you. This will help keep the top of the ball tight. There is a video below to help with this. Trying to explain with text is a bit difficult. Place each ball onto a lined baking sheet that you will be using to bake the buns with. When all eight buns are rolled out cover with a lightly oiled piece of saran wrap and let the rolled buns rise for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
The topping for the buns and baking
In a small bowl, I put the topping ingredients, water, sugar, and butter, in and put them in the microwave for a bit. I usually spread the topping on before I put the buns in, at the halfway point, and after I bring them out of the oven. This way you have a few layers of the topping that caramelize in the oven. Bake the buns for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F or until they are golden brown and delicious. Rotate the sheet halfway through. By rotating the baking pan halfway through the baking time you will ensure even baking. Another option is to sprinkle a bit of sea salt on when they come out. Salty sweet dinner rolls for your family.
The easy buns recipe goes great dipped in the basil pistachio pesto! Try my sweet bread recipe also.
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Easy Buns Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons of fast acting or rapid rise yeast
- 1 cup of warm water around 100 degrees F
- 2 tablespoons of sugar or 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 ½ cups of unbleached flour
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Topping
- 1 1/2-2 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Pour warm water in a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer. Then add the sugar (or honey), and yeast. Mix gently.
- After about five minutes you should see the yeast starting to react with the sugar. Once you see this you are on your way!
- Add flour and mix until dough comes together.
- Knead for five minutes with dough hook or by hand. The dough will be somewhat sticky. Form into a ball.
- Spread the olive oil on dough ball, place into a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel.
- Let dough rise in a warm area (I use the microwave. Don’t turn it on.) for 60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
- Place dough on lightly floured surface and divide into eight pieces.
- Roll each piece into a bun and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Cover buns with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- While rising, make the topping by melting the butter and then adding the water and sugar. Mix well. You will be brushing the mixture on three times while baking the buns.
- After 10 minutes, rise brush mixture on buns and place in oven and bake for eight minutes. After eight minutes, rotate baking sheet and brush on more mixture. Bake for an additional 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Sprinkle with sea salt (optional).