Homemade Hamburger Buns

1. Stage

Place yeast into 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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

2. Stage

Whisk 1 egg, melted butter, sugar, and salt thoroughly into the yeast mixture. Add remaining flour (about 3 cups).

3. Stage

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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4. Stage

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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

5. Stage

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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

6. Stage

Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

7. Stage

Transfer dough to a floured work surface and pat to flatten any bubbles; form into a slightly rounded, 5x10-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

8. Stage

Dust dough lightly with flour if needed and cut into eight equal pieces. Form each piece into a round shape, gently tucking ends underneath as before. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

9. Stage

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.

10. Stage

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

11. Stage

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. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

12. Stage

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. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS