These Fluffy Homemade Buns are a delightfully soft and tender treat, made with a rich dough that combines warm milk, sour cream, and butter for an incredibly light texture. The dough is versatile and can be filled with your favorite ingredients, such as chocolate, Nutella, cottage cheese, raisins, cocoa, or cinnamon. For this version, we've used a delicious poppy seed filling. After shaping, the buns are left to rise, then brushed with an egg wash to ensure a beautiful, golden-brown finish. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, these buns are sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This: You’ll love these buns for their soft, pillowy texture and the endless possibilities for fillings. The combination of sour cream and melted butter in the dough makes these buns exceptionally moist and flavorful, while the warm milk helps to activate the yeast for a perfect rise. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, these buns can be customized to suit your taste. The golden, shiny crust is achieved by brushing the buns with an egg wash before baking, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Perfect Occasion: These buns are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving them as a weekend breakfast treat, a snack for guests, or a comforting dessert. They’re also great for holidays, family gatherings, or as a homemade gift. The versatility of the fillings means you can make a variety of flavors in one batch, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Decoration Tips: For a simple yet beautiful presentation, sprinkle the tops of the buns with a bit of sugar before baking to add a slight crunch and a touch of sweetness. You can also dust them with powdered sugar after they’ve cooled, or drizzle them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. If you’re using a poppy seed or cinnamon filling, consider adding a few poppy seeds or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for an extra hint of flavor.
Ingredients:
- 250 ml warm milk
- 10 g yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 250 g sour cream
- 60 g melted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 700-800 g flour (plus or minus 50 g, added gradually)
- Additional 2 tbsp sugar
For the Filling:
- Your choice of filling: chocolate, Nutella, cottage cheese, raisins, cocoa, cinnamon, etc.
- Ready-made poppy seed filling (used in this version)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 30 ml milk
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active. Add the sour cream, melted butter, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture, stirring until well combined.
- Incorporate the Flour: Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, starting with 700 g and mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If necessary, add up to 50 g more flour to reach the right consistency. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the Dough 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 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air and divide it into equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it slightly. Add your desired filling in the center, then fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges to seal it. Shape the filled dough into buns and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped buns with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes. This second rise will ensure that the buns are light and fluffy.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. After the buns have risen, gently brush them with the egg wash to give them a shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Bake the Buns: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the buns for 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the buns and your oven.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the buns from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve them warm or at room temperature, with or without additional toppings such as powdered sugar or a glaze.
Enjoy: Savor the soft, fluffy texture and rich flavor of these homemade buns, whether filled with sweet or savory goodness. Perfect for any time of day!