Coffee bread buns go so hard! These make really good hamburger buns and sandwich bread. These buns are sweet and have a coffee aftertaste. They are soft but firm so they can handle fillings without getting mushy.
These coffee buns are easy to prep: you will need about 2 hours in the kitchen to make these bombshells. They are super smooth on top for that classic bun feel. The dough will need to rise for about 1 hour. It is then punched down and cut into 8 pieces. You have to knead each piece and shape into a smooth ball (pictured below).
I used egg wash for the topping but you can go ahead and add sesame seeds after this egg wash for a classic hamburger look. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper to ensure easy removal. Leave sufficient space between them as well. I find it easier to use a very large baking tray to avoid spacing issues. The worst thing that could happen is pulling the bread apart after baking. I think it’s best when the buns are kept distanced from each other. They are perfectly round this way and achieve the typical bun look.
Serve these up with jam, cream cheese or even Nutella. Need more buns? Check out my hotdog buns recipe!
Ingredients
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm full-fat milk or cream
1/2 cup melted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg, at room temperature
4 cups all-purpose flour, leveled
40g instant coffee
Pinch of table salt
Whisked egg to brush buns
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, stir the instant yeast, sugar and warm water together. Let it sit for 5 minutes away from drafts or cold winds.
2. After 5 minutes, you should see bubbles forming on the surface of the bowl from step 1. If you don't see any reaction, throw away the contents of the bowl, and start afresh with a newer yeast.
3. Fold in the warm milk, melted butter, eggs and add the flour, instant coffee and salt. Knead into a smooth ball for at least 5 minutes.
4. Brush another large bowl with extra oil and transfer the dough ball from the previous step into this bowl.
5. Cover the top of the bowl tightly with cling wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
6. After 1 hour, remove the cling wrap and punch the dough down to release the air.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C.
8. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead into a smooth ball. Cut it into 8 equal squares and knead into smooth balls.
9.Place the rolls on a lined baking pan leaving sufficient space in between.
10. Brush the top of the dough with the whisked egg.
11. Bake the dough in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
12. Serve warm.