There’s something incredibly comforting about the smell of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. These soft and fluffy homemade milk buns deliver that exact feeling—pillowy, lightly sweet, and impossibly tender with every bite. Inspired by classic bakery rolls, this recipe creates buns that are rich yet delicate, perfect for both sweet and savory uses.
Whether you’re serving them warm with butter, using them for sandwiches, or enjoying them alongside dinner, these milk buns are a must-have recipe for any home baker.
Why You’ll Love These Milk Buns
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Ultra-soft, cloud-like texture
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Lightly sweet and rich from milk and butter
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Perfect for breakfast, sliders, or dinner rolls
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Beginner-friendly with simple ingredients
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Stay soft for days
These buns are made with milk instead of water, which gives them their signature tenderness and subtle richness. The result is bread that feels bakery-quality but is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
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All-purpose flour
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Warm milk
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Granulated sugar
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Active dry yeast or instant yeast
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Unsalted butter, softened
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Egg
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Salt
(Exact measurements can be adjusted based on batch size.)
How to Make Soft & Fluffy Milk Buns
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Warm the milk until lukewarm (not hot). Stir in sugar and yeast, then let it rest for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This ensures the yeast is active and ready to work.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Knead Until Smooth
Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for 8–10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Shape the Buns
Punch down the dough and divide it into equal portions. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a greased baking pan, leaving a little space between each bun.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover and let the buns rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy and touching.
Step 7: Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Step 8: Finish with Butter
Brush warm buns with melted butter for extra softness and shine.
Tips for Perfect Milk Buns
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Do not overheat the milk—hot milk can kill the yeast
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Knead until the dough passes the “windowpane test” for maximum fluffiness
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Let the buns touch during baking for soft sides
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Brush with butter immediately after baking to lock in moisture
Variations & Serving Ideas
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Sweet version: Add vanilla or a touch of honey
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Savory version: Reduce sugar and add herbs or cheese
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Sandwich buns: Shape slightly larger and bake longer
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Dinner rolls: Serve with soups, stews, or holiday meals
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
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Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days
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Refrigerate for up to 5 days
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Freeze baked buns for up to 2 months
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Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave to restore softness
Final Thoughts
These soft and fluffy homemade milk buns are everything good bread should be—tender, rich, and comforting. Once you try them, you’ll never go back to store-bought rolls again. They’re simple enough for everyday baking but special enough for guests and celebrations.