Soft Fluffy Sweet Milk Buns

These golden, pillowy milk buns bake up incredibly soft, lightly sweet, and perfect warm from the oven with a snowy dusting of sugar.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the remaining sugar, egg, flour, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead in the softened butter until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and slightly tacky, about 8–10 minutes.
3. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
4. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving space between them.
5. Cover loosely and let the buns rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon milk, then gently brush over the tops of the buns for a shiny golden finish.
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until deeply golden brown and cooked through. Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Tip: For extra softness, brush the hot buns with a little melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.