Homemade Hamburger Buns

Ingredients

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 large egg
• butter for brushing (or for a glossy finish beat an egg with 2 teaspoons of water and brush with that)
• sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Stir the yeast in the lukewarm water, adding a bit of the sugar to it. Let is sit for 10-15 minutes until frothy.

2. 2

   Place the remaining ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer attached with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture and knead for 5-6 minutes (or longer if kneading by hand) until a ball of dough forms, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. 3

   Remove the dough, lightly spray the bowl with oil, return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm or room temp place to rise for at least an hour or until doubled in size.

4. 4

   Punch the dough to deflate it then divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll the pieces into balls and flatten them slightly (1/2-3/4 inch thick). Place them on a lined baking sheet. Let the rolls rise for another hour or until nearly doubled in size. Brush with some butter (or for a glossy finish use egg beaten with 2 teaspoons of water). Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.

5. 5

   Have the oven preheated to 375 degrees F. Bake the buns for 15-18 minutes until golden. Remove and let them cool.