Whole wheat hamburger buns that are tender, fluffy, and flavorful? They’re not only possible — they’re easy to pull off! Baker’s Special Dry Milk contributes to the buns’ soft texture, while vital wheat gluten helps the buns achieve a lofty rise. A touch of honey adds subtle sweetness, complementing the nutty flavor of the whole wheat.
David “DT” Turner’s 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 3/4 cups (311g) King Arthur Golden Wheat Flour
- 3/4 cup (170g) water, lukewarm
- 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons (63g) honey
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons (27g) vital wheat gluten
- 3 tablespoons (21g) King Arthur Baker’s Special Dry Milk or nonfat dry milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) table salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
Topping
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- Everything Bagel Topping or King Arthur Artisan Bread Topping, or the seeds of your choice, optional
- Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess.
- To make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine all the dough ingredients and mix on medium speed for about 1 minute, pausing to scrape the sides of the bowl halfway through.
- Increase the speed to medium-high and knead for about 3 more minutes, scraping the bowl halfway through, until a cohesive, tacky dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rest until slightly puffy, 60 to 75 minutes.
- To shape the buns: Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Divide it into six even pieces (about 116g each). Shape each piece into a ball.
- Place the buns onto a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or in the lightly greased wells of a hamburger bun pan. (For slightly wider, flatter buns, press the dough balls gently with your hand until they’re about 3″ wide.) Cover and let rise until slightly puffy, about 1 hour; when pressed with a floured finger, an indent should remain. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center.
- Brush the buns with the egg wash and sprinkle with seeds.
- To bake the buns: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until deep golden brown. A digital thermometer inserted into a bun should register at least 205°F for the best texture.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on the pan slightly, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
- Storage information: Store leftover whole wheat hamburger buns, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.
