Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 cup warm water (between 100-110 degrees F)
  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (one packet) instant or active dry yeast (see notes below)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (very soft)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 3 cups bread or all-purpose flour (plus more for sprinkling, see notes below)
  • 1 egg yolk plus 1 tablespoon water or milk (optional, for egg wash)
  • sesame or poppy seeds (optional)

Instruction

  • If using active dry yeast, start by measuring warm water into a liquid measuring cup and sprinkling yeast on top. Set aside for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, measure and combine the sugar, butter, egg, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Add the yeast-water mixture, and stir briefly to mix.
  • If using instant yeast, simply combine water, yeast, sugar, butter, egg, and salt in the large bowl and stir briefly to mix.
  • Add 3 cups flour. Stir vigorously by hand, or knead with the stand mixer’s dough hook, until the flour is incorporated and the dough has an even texture and forms a smooth ball. If stirring by hand, you’ll probably need to turn the dough out onto a work surface once the flour is mostly incorporated but the dough is still a little lumpy. Knead it by hand for 1-2 minutes until it’s smooth and even. When finished, the dough should be feel tacky but barely stick to your fingers. If it’s too wet and sticky, add up to 1/4 cup of additional flour.
  • Place dough in a lightly greased bowl. Set aside in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, roughly 1-2 hours.
  • After the dough has doubled, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a bench scraper or knife, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. (Use a kitchen scale if you have one and want to be sure the pieces are very evenly-sized.) Stretch and shape each piece into a round ball, and space them a few inches apart on a baking sheet, lined with parchment or silicone mats if you have them.
  • Loosely cover the baking sheets with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside once more to rise for about 45 minutes. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Once the buns are puffy and the oven is preheated, combine the egg yolk and water or milk in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Lightly brush the egg wash over the top of each bun, and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
  • Bake buns for 12-14 minutes. If using more than one baking sheet, check halfway through the baking time and rotate the pans to ensure even browning. Remove buns and let cool on a wire rack until ready to use. Enjoy with your favorite burger or sandwich!