Description
Homemade sourdough dinner buns create a warm, inviting aroma that fills kitchens with comfort. Salt, flour, and tangy starter combine for simple, rustic bread perfection you’ll savor alongside hearty meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 cups (360–480 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) sourdough starter discard (room temperature)
- 3 large eggs (1 for egg wash)
- ½ cup (120 ml) warm water (110-115°F/43-46°C)
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 package (2 ¼ tsp/7 g) instant yeast
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water and sugar in a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast across the surface, and allow 3 minutes for blooming and transformation.
- Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs, vegetable oil, sourdough starter, and salt into the activated yeast mixture using low-speed mixing for uniform incorporation.
- Flour Development: Gradually add flour to wet ingredients using the beater blade, monitoring dough texture until achieving a slightly tacky consistency without excessive stickiness.
- Gluten Refinement: Switch to dough hook and knead at medium speed for 5-7 minutes, developing a smooth, elastic dough with robust structural integrity.
- Primary Fermentation: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm, draft-free environment for 30-45 minutes until volume nearly doubles.
- Shaping and Proofing: Deflate dough on a floured surface, divide into 12-15 uniform portions, shape into compact spheres, and arrange in a 9×13 inch baking pan with minimal spacing.
- Final Preparation: Preheat oven to 375ºF while allowing buns to undergo final rise, then create a golden glaze by whisking egg with water and delicately brushing across bun surfaces.
- Baking and Cooling: Bake for 20-22 minutes until buns reach a rich, uniform golden-brown color, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and air circulation.
Notes
- Precise Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast performance and prevent potential killing of living cultures.
- Flour Consistency Check: Watch dough texture carefully during flour incorporation; slightly tacky is perfect, avoiding overly dry or wet mixtures that can compromise bun structure.
- Proofing Environment Matters: Select a consistently warm spot around 75-80°F for dough rising, avoiding drafty areas to maintain steady fermentation and even volume development.
- Golden Glaze Technique: Apply egg wash gently with a soft pastry brush, covering buns evenly to achieve a beautiful, glossy surface without pooling or excessive moisture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg