Soft & Fluffy Homemade Milk Buns (Bakery-Style & Easy)
These Soft & Fluffy Homemade Milk Buns are incredibly light, tender, and slightly sweet, with a pillowy texture that melts in your mouth. Made with simple pantry ingredients and enriched with milk and butter, these buns are perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, or as a soft dinner roll.
If you love bakery-style bread that stays soft for days, this milk bun recipe is a must-try. It’s beginner-friendly, reliable, and produces beautifully golden buns every time.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Milk Buns
- Ultra-soft and fluffy texture
- Lightly sweet with a rich, milky flavor
- Perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or breakfast
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Stay soft even the next day
These buns are inspired by classic bakery milk bread and are ideal for anyone who wants soft homemade bread without complicated steps.
Ingredients
To make these soft homemade milk buns, you’ll need:
All-purpose flour, warm milk, instant yeast, granulated sugar, salt, unsalted butter (softened), and one egg. You may also need a little extra milk or melted butter for brushing the tops before and after baking.
These ingredients work together to create a rich dough that bakes into fluffy, tender buns.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active and helps create a soft, airy texture.
Add the egg, softened butter, and salt to the mixture. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Proper kneading is key to achieving fluffy milk buns.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the Buns
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release excess air. Divide the dough into equal portions and shape each piece into a smooth ball.
Arrange the dough balls in a greased baking pan, leaving a little space between them so they can expand while baking.
Cover and let the buns rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy and touching each other.
4. Bake the Milk Buns
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly brush the tops of the buns with milk or egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the buns are lightly golden on top and fully cooked through.
As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter to keep them extra soft and flavorful.
Tips for Perfect Soft Milk Buns
- Use warm milk, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast
- Knead the dough well to develop gluten for fluffiness
- Don’t overbake — soft buns should be lightly golden
- Brushing with butter after baking keeps the buns tender
Serving Ideas
These soft milk buns are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them warm with butter and jam, use them for breakfast sandwiches, sliders, or burgers, or serve them as dinner rolls alongside soups and stews.
They also make excellent sandwich buns because of their soft yet sturdy texture.
Storage & Freezing
Store the milk buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of milk, butter, and egg creates a rich dough that bakes into soft, fluffy, bakery-style buns. This recipe balances moisture and structure perfectly, giving you reliable results every time.
If you’re looking for the best homemade milk buns recipe, this one delivers softness, flavor, and comfort in every bite.