How to make an American burger

On my recent trip to America I became a little burger obsessed. They seemed to have mini-burgers at every party we attended, and they were super delicious morsels that I couldn’t get enough off. Quite often when I try something I love whilst eating out, I like to come home and see if I can replicate it myself. Last time it was mushroom risotto and this time it was American burgers.

Whilst tweeting on the subject of American burgers someone asked me, “What’s the difference between Australian and American burgers?” Well, their buns are sweeter. They use a light brioche type bun. And they keep it simple. No tomato, beetroot or sneaking grated vegetables into the patty. Anyway, I’m starting to sound obsessed again, aren’t I?

At 9am in the morning I decided that the day would be ‘attempt American burgers day’ so I sent Hubby off to the shops to buy bread flour, like a good boy.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons of warm milk
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons of dry yeast
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs {one for the mix, one for brushing the buns before cooking}
3 cups of bread flour
1/3 cup plain flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
2 1/2 tablespoons of butter, softened

Method

♥ In a glass bowl combine milk, water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let it stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Beat in one egg.
♥ In a large bowl combine flours and salt. Add the butter and rub between your fingers until it forms a bread crumb like consistency. Stir in yeast mixture until a dough forms.
♥ Scrape dough onto a clean unfloured surface and knead. The dough is really wet, so you’ll need to pick it up and slap it down on the bench. If you add extra flour at this stage you’ll just make the bread drier, so try and resist. Knead for 8-10 minutes.
♥ Shape dough into a ball and return to the bowl. Cover with cling wrap and let it rise for 1 – 2 hours until it’s doubled in size.
♥ Prepare a baking tray by lining it with baking paper. Divide the mix into 8 even pieces and roll them into balls and place on baking tray. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let then rise again for 1-2 hours.
♥ Place a shallow tray filled with water in the bottom of the oven. Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. Beat egg and brush over bread rolls. Bake for 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

For the rest of the burger I used this recipe from the NY times. The bread was perfect. I don’t usually like brioche, but this is a light brioche and just perfect. I loved it the next day, toasted with a little peanut butter. The burgers were yummy, not quite as I had tried them in the States, but I think I just need to find the perfect patty. Another day, perhaps.

Have you ever enjoyed something at a restaurant and tried to replicate it at home?

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Recipe adapted dfrom the NY Times via Smitten Kitchen.

Ingredients

Method

20 thoughts on “How to make an American burger”

  1. o_0 thanks for telling me there is a difference. i think i would have died when i found veggies in my bun!!! looks yummy!!! :o) we sometimes spread a little butter on our bun then toast it. super yummy. or a little mayonnaise.

  2. This is funny because my Canadian partner had a devil of a time finding a burger he even liked when we lived in Sydney.
    Nth Americans really know how to make them and we can't understand why Aussie burgers are never as good.

    You're awesome for attempting to make them!

  3. Mmmmmm burgers!!!

    Hey, have you tried the burgers at The Stuffed Beaver on Bondi Rd? I keep telling Edenland that they look like all the US burger shots she has posted on her blog. They are divinaramo!

  4. looks lovely! can't say I've ever gone so far as to make the buns before!! dare i say that on the 1 occasion I had american maccas i thought it was alot better than aussie maccas…did i just say that? I like blitzing ritz biscuits to use instead of crumbs in my burgers…gives them a super savoury-ness. Over the years I have developed quite a repetoire of resturant inspired dishes 🙂 Tatum xx

  5. Hi There!
    I know I am a little late to comment but I saw this post when it was first up and was so impressed you made the effort, I personally LOVE to bake but have never got around to Brioche and when deciding on Krabby Patties (thanks to SpongeBob) for dinner I remembered seeing this recipe so I got to and and I have to say AMAZING and a huge hit with my 4yo and 2yo girls! I will be defiantly be making these time and time again. Thank you for bringing a little French speciality into my kitchen.
    Mel.
    PS I must add that these were too easy to make especially since I whizzed the flour and butter in the food processor and then popped it in the MixMaster with the milk and yeast ect to whirl around for the 8 mins with a perfect result.

  6. Just made these and they are brilliant! I made them with the kitchen aid dough hook & it was quite easy! My boys just ate them straight from the oven with butter and tonight I'm going to use them to make mini chicken burgers for my girls night. YUMMO!!!!

    Thanks for sharing!xoxox

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