Soft & Fluffy Milk-Free Sweet Bun Rolls

Basic sweet buns—soft, buttery, and no milk required!

If you're looking for a reliable, no-fail basic sweet bun roll recipe, you've just found it. These Soft & Fluffy Sweet Buns are pillow-light and delicately sweet—perfect on their own or as a base for any filling you like. Whether you’re a beginner baker or just want to make buns without milk, this dough is forgiving, easy to handle, and oh so satisfying to pull apart.

@cupfuldays Soft & Fluffy Milk-Free Sweet Bun Rolls

✨ Why This Recipe Is Unique

• Milk-free but rich – Uses water and butter for softness without dairy milk.

• Super soft & sweet – Perfect balance of texture and subtle sweetness.

• Perfect for shaping – The dough is easy to work with and ideal for rolls, knots, or stuffed buns.

• Flexible yield – Makes 16 rolls, or divide into smaller pans like 9 + 6 for flexible baking options (like what I did, because I didn't had a bigger pan)

@cupfuldays Soft & Fluffy Milk-Free Sweet Bun Rolls

Ingredients:

• 300g water

• 10g instant dry yeast

• 60g caster sugar

• 60g butter

• 400g bread flour

• 100g cake flour

• 1 tsp salt

• Extra butter (for greasing and brushing)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Prep the pan:

   Grease a 25 x 25 x 5 cm baking pan with butter or lined with parchment paper. Set aside.

   
   

2. Mix the wet base:

   In a large bowl, combine water, instant yeast, caster sugar, and melted butter. Stir to dissolve.

   
   

3. Make the dough:

   Add bread flour, cake flour, and salt. Knead until a smooth dough forms.

   
   

4. First rise:

   Transfer dough to a silicone mat. Wrap it like a parcel using the mat and let it rest for about 15 minutes or until doubled in size.

   
   

5. Shape the buns:

   Divide dough into 16 equal portions (~60g each). Roll into balls. Arrange them in rows (e.g., 4x4) on the prepared pan. If using smaller pans (like what I did), you can split into a 9-bun and 6-bun layout.

   
   

6. Second rise (proofing):

   Cover loosely with cling wrap or a silicone mat. Let proof for 30–45 minutes until puffy and doubled in size.

   
   

7. Bake:

   Preheat oven to 170°C (top and bottom heat, no fan). Bake for 15–20 minutes until slightly golden brown.

   
   

8. Finish with butter: Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Immediately brush the tops with melted butter. Let cool completely before serving.

   
   

   

   @cupfuldays Soft & Fluffy Milk-Free Sweet Bun Rolls

   
   

💡 Tips & Ideas

• Want them sweeter? Add a honey glaze or dust with icing sugar.

• Want them to look more browned? Bake with brushed egg yolk over dough

• Fill before shaping with red bean paste, cream cheese, or chocolate for extra flavor.

• These freeze well—reheat in the oven or toaster for soft buns anytime.