Easy Flower-Shaped Bread Buns. Made With An Apple Slicer
These flower-shaped bread buns are a fantastic way to elevate a simple bread recipe into something visually stunning. All you need is basic bread ingredients, some free time and apple slicer. Yes, you’ve read right: I’ve used an apple slicer to cut out the dough into flowers.
I think that one of the greatest joys of baking is the ability to transform basic ingredients into something beautiful. I bake homemade bread at least twice a week. Therefore, I try to be creative, and I often think of different ways to improve on the taste and appearance of bread. The flower-shaped buns might look challenging to prepare but in reality they are so easy and fun to make. They also taste exceptional because of their shiny and crunchy crust and pillowy center. The variety of seeds on top pair very well with the bread and give it some extra flavor.
Why Flower-Shaped Bread Buns?
Flower-shaped bread buns are not just about aesthetics—they offer a wonderful opportunity to turn baking into an engaging, family-friendly activity.
Fun in the Kitchen for the Family
Baking these flower-shaped buns is an excellent way to involve the whole family in the kitchen. The kids will love helping to shape the dough and sprinkle the seeds. It’s a great opportunity to teach them basic baking techniques while spending quality time together. Plus, children are more likely to eat their creations if they’ve helped preparing them.
How to serve them?
These beautiful buns are incredibly versatile and can complement a wide range of dishes. They’re perfect for brunches, casual family dinners, or even for special holiday gatherings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Soups and Stews: The soft texture of these buns makes them excellent for soaking up delicious broths. They can transform a simple soup into a hearty, satisfying meal.
- Sandwiches: Slice the buns in half and fill them with your favorite ingredients for a gourmet sandwich experience.
- Pack them in a lunch box: These flower-shaped buns will be a fun surprise for your child at recess. They may bring some joy to anyone who has a hard day at work or school.
- Cheese and Charcuterie Boards: These buns also make a lovely addition to cheese and charcuterie boards, adding both flavor and visual appeal.
Equipment for the Flower-Shaped Bread Buns
- Measuring spoons and cups are essential for any baking recipe.
- You can use a stand mixer like this one, or knead by hand.
- You are going to need an apple slicer. I used a similar to this one.
- I use a silicon brush to add egg wash on top of the shaped dough.
- I use a large baking sheet to bake the flower-shaped buns
- You also need oven mitts to protect your hands from the high temperatures.
- Finally, you are going to need some cooling racks to prevent the buns from getting soggy bottoms after baking.
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How To Measure Ingredients?
- Wet versus dry ingredients – to make the dough for the buns you need to differentiate between wet and dry measuring cups. We measure liquids in pitchers like these. For the dry ingredients we use measuring cups and spoons like these.
- When you measure flour always scoop more than you need in your cup and use a knife to level it off. If you have a scale, use it, because measuring ingredients by weight is always more accurate. One cup of flour contains exactly 4 oz or 120 grams of all-purpose flour.
Helpful Tips About Making The Dough
Use ingredients at room temperature for this recipe. This will help with yeast activation and proofing. I usually warm up the milk and the water for 30 seconds in the microwave oven.
Some people bloom the yeast by adding it in the lukewarm water with some sugar. Then they wait for the yeast to dissolve and become bubbly on top. I don’t do that step, and I never had a bad result. In my opinion the yeast will have enough time to bloom once you make the dough and proof it for an hour.
It is very important to add the flour gradually until you have soft and stretchy dough. If the dough is sticking to your hands and you cannot form it to a ball, then you need more flour.
When you make the dough, you might need more or less flour. It depends on the type and the brand of flour that you use. I used organic, all purpose flour from Costco for this recipe.
Keep the salt away from the yeast! I always add the salt after I added at least one cup of flour. I never sprinkle salt directly over the yeast. This is very important because salt kills yeast, which can stop the fermentation process, and the dough won’t rise.
Proofing and Baking tips
- Baking Time: Baking times can vary depending on the size of the buns, your oven, and altitude. Check the buns after 20 minutes of baking. Total baking time should be around 25-30 minutes. Please, use your own judgment when baking anything. Don’t rely blindly on the baking times provided in the recipe.
- Proofing: Allow the dough to proof for 45 to 60 minutes directly in the mixing bowl, covered with a towel or plastic wrap. Proof again after shaping for 30 minutes.
- Avoid Drafts: Keep the dough away from vents and drafts to prevent deflation due to rapid temperature changes.
Easy Flower-Shaped Bread Buns
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup lukewarm whole milk plus another Tablespoon for the egg wash
- ½ cup lukewarm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- 4 cups bread flour or high-protein all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
Toppings
- sesame, poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
To prepare the egg wash
- Crack one egg open and separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Put the egg white in the bowl of the stand mixer (or your mixing bowl) and the egg yolk in a small bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of milk to the egg yolk in the small bowl and stir it well. Cover and set aside. This will be your egg wash.
To prepare the dough
- Add the lukewarm milk, water, sugar, yeast, two cups of flour and the salt to the mixing bowl with the egg white.
- Start mixing on the lowest possible speed until you have a wet dough.If you don't have a mixer, use a large spoon to stir until you have a sticky dough.
- Keep adding flour gradually and continue mixing until you have a soft and stretchy dough. In total you might have to add three and a half or four cups of flour (depending on the brand).If you are making the dough by hand, transfer it on a floured surface and knead.
- Once all the flour is incorporated and you have a dough that doesn’t stick to the sides of the bowl and to your fingers it is ready to proof.
- Leave the dough in the mixing bowl, cover it with a clean towel or a plastic wrap and leave it for an hour to proof.
- Once the dough is doubled in size punch it down to release the air and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into equal portions—about 11-12. Then make them to balls.
- Gently press down the apple slicer over each dough ball. Don't press all the way down because it will cut the dough and ruin the shape. You need just enough pressure for a visible flower shape.
- The dough might stick to the apple slicer so be careful when you are trying to remove it. If it sticks too much add some flour to the dough.
- Place all flower shaped buns on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.
- Brush each flower with the egg wash and add sesame or poppy seeds in the center of the flower.
- Proof for 30 more minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 355F.
- Bake at 355F for 20-30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Transfer the buns to a wire rack and allow them cool down slightly before serving.
Notes
Other bread recipes you might like
Beautiful Flower Shaped Bread. Pillowy Soft
How To Bake Homemade Bread Rolls In An Air Fryer
Festive Pull Apart Bread (Traditional Bulgarian Pitka)
Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Better Than Subway)