Based on a recipe from Fooooood Wishes Dot Com. If you didn’t sing that in your head, go find John’s videos on YouTube and watch them until you do.
Even on your first try, these buns are better than what you can find in most markets, mostly because they’re fresh and you have to work for them.
Dough
- 2½ tsp (1 package) active dry yeast
- 450 g (1 lb, about 3½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 250 g (1 cup) warm water, 40°C (104°F)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 1¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp olive oil (not extra-virgin)
Method
Whisk the yeast, ½ cup of the flour, and the warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Let stand until foamy, 10–15 minutes.
Add the egg, melted butter, sugar, and salt, and whisk until smooth again.
Switch to the dough hook. Add the rest of the flour slowly until the dough forms a ball. Knead until cohesive and somewhat sticky, about 5 minutes. Sticky is better than dry here.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a smooth, taut ball. I pull the dough over itself a few times with a bench scraper, then invert it and use the scraper to tighten it into a smooth-topped round.
Put the ball in a container greased with the olive oil, cover, and let rise in a warm spot, around 24°C (75°F), until doubled, 1–2 hours. A warming tray or a slightly warmed oven works well.
Flatten the dough into a rectangle and cut into 8 equal pieces, about 100 g each. Fold each piece over itself, then roll it into a taut ball on the counter with your hand or a bench scraper. Set the balls on a lined sheet pan and flatten slightly.
Let rise until doubled, 45–60 minutes. Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Egg wash and topping
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp milk
- A pinch of salt
- 1–2 tsp sesame seeds
Whisk the egg, milk, and salt together. Brush the buns lightly and top with sesame seeds.
Bake until lightly browned, 15–18 minutes. Cool completely, then slice with a serrated knife.
Notes
- Half milk
- Add soft butter at end
- Replace half or all with Diastatic Malt Powder (malted barley)