Created on 11/18/2022
Ingredients:
- 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (Fleischmann’s Active Dry Yeast)
- 1 pound all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (105 degrees)
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 1/4 salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions:
Step 1: Place yeast into a bowl of a large stand mixer; whisk in 1/2 cup flour and warm water until smooth. Let stand until mixture is foamy, 10 to 15 minutes
Step 2: Whisk 1 egg, melted butter, sugar, and salt thoroughly into the yeast mixture. Add remaining flour (about 3 cups)
Step 3: Fit a dough hook onto stand mixer and knead the dough on low speed until soft and sticky, 5 to 6 minutes. Scrape sides if needed. Poke and prod the dough with a silicone spatula; if large amounts of dough stick to the spatula, add a little more flour
Step 4: Transfer dough onto a floured work surface; dough will be sticky and elastic but should not stick to your fingers. Gently form dough into a smooth, round shape, tucking loose ends underneath
Step 5: Wipe out the stand mixer bowl and drizzle in olive oil. Place dough in the bowl and turn it several times until the surface is thinly coated with oil. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours
Step 6: Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper
Step 7: Transfer dough to a floured work surface and pat to flatten any bubbles; form into a slightly rounded, 5×10-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Dust dough lightly with flour if needed and cut into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a round shape, gently tucking ends underneath as before
Step 8: Use your hands to gently pat and stretch the dough rounds into flat, 1/2-inch-thick discs. Arrange buns about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Dust buns very lightly with flour. Drape a piece of plastic wrap over the baking sheet (do not seal tightly). Let buns rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour
Step 9: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
Step 10: Beat remaining egg with milk in a small bowl, using a fork, until mixture is thoroughly combined. Very gently and lightly brush tops of buns with egg wash without deflating the risen dough. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds
Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned on top, 15 to 17 minutes. Buns will stick together slightly where they touch. Let cool completely. Tear the buns apart and slice in half crosswise to serve
Notes: These freeze great. Keep in a gallon size freezer bag. When ready to use, take the amount you need out of the freezer bag and allow to thaw on a paper towel for 30 min to an hour. Buns can be microwaved for 30 seconds for a quicker thaw method.