Description
Sweet homemade honey buns deliver a comforting embrace of golden pastry and warm honey. Delicate layers melt in your mouth, whisking you to a morning of pure breakfast bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup honey
Topping/Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture that will form the base of your honey buns.
- Warm milk and butter together in a saucepan until butter melts completely, ensuring the liquid reaches approximately 110°F – the ideal temperature for yeast activation.
- Pour the warm milk-butter mixture into the dry ingredients, then add eggs and honey, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6-8 minutes, developing gluten and creating a smooth, elastic texture that springs back when touched.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm location for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into equal portions, shaping each into a smooth, round bun.
- Arrange the buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them for expansion, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F while the buns undergo their second rise.
- Bake the buns for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- While baking, prepare the glaze by melting honey and butter together, then stirring in vanilla extract.
- Remove buns from the oven and immediately brush with the warm honey glaze, allowing it to seep into the warm surface.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Allow buns to cool slightly before serving, letting the glaze set and flavors meld together.
Notes
- Check yeast freshness by dissolving it in warm milk before mixing to ensure proper rising and soft texture.
- Maintain precise milk temperature around 110°F to activate yeast without killing it, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a stretchy and light bread structure that yields tender honey buns.
- Proof dough in a draft-free, warm environment like a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water to promote consistent rising.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg