Description
Crying in HBD Burgers are everything your party table never knew it needed—juicy smash patties stacked with melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and all your favorite toppings, all hugged inside bold bright blue brioche buns. These burgers are loud, proud, and made for celebration. Top it off with a blue raspberry soda slush for maximum birthday energy. Easy to make, impossible to forget!
Ingredients
For the Bright Blue Buns
4 brioche burger buns
Blue gel food coloring
1 tbsp milk (for brushing tops)
Optional: sesame seeds or edible glitter for garnish
For the Smash Burgers
1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices cooked bacon
Optional: lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion, or toppings of your choice
Optional Blue Drink Pairing
Blue raspberry soda or slush
Ice
Optional: lemon wedge or mint for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Blue Buns
If using store-bought brioche buns, mix a few drops of blue gel food coloring with 1 tbsp milk. Lightly brush the tops of the buns with the mixture and allow to dry for 10–15 minutes. Toast lightly before assembling.
For homemade buns, add the blue coloring directly to your dough during kneading and bake as usual.Cook the Smash Burgers
Preheat a cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat until hot. Divide the ground beef into 4 loose balls.
Place each ball into the skillet and smash it flat immediately using a spatula or burger press. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook for 2–3 minutes until edges are crispy, then flip. Add a slice of cheddar to each patty and cook 1–2 minutes more, covered, to melt the cheese.Assemble the Burgers
Layer lettuce, pickles, or any desired toppings on the bottom bun. Place the cheesy smash patty on top, followed by a slice of crispy bacon.
Cap with the electric blue top bun and press gently to bring it all together.
Optional Drink Pairing
Serve with a glass of blue raspberry soda or a homemade slush. Add ice and garnish with lemon or mint if desired.
Notes
For easier cleanup and even coloring, use gloves when brushing the food coloring onto buns.
Use parchment paper between your spatula and patty to keep meat from sticking during the smash step.
You can prep the patties ahead and keep them warm in the oven at 200°F if feeding a crowd.
Feeling extra? Sprinkle edible glitter on the bun tops right after painting them blue!
This burger is all about fun, so feel free to swap in other cheeses, skip the bacon, or go plant-based.