Hamburger buns(chef John`s recipe)

I liked chef John`s recipe as it is easier to make and the buns are soft and has a slight sweet taste.No milk is used but still the texture and taste are the same!

Ingredients
All purpose flour -3 and 1/2 cups,
Warm water-1 cup,
Yeast- 1packet-7 gms,
Melted butter-3 tbsp,
Sugar-3 tbsp,
A pinch of salt as the butter is salted,
Egg-1.
Egg wash-1+2 tbsp of milk,
Butter to brush the buns,
Sesame seeds to sprinkle.

Method:
You can make the dough with a dough mixer ( the best result) or electric mixer or by hand kneading.
If kneading by hand then mix all the ingredients and then knead the dough on the counter for 10 minutes.The dough should not be sticky and the surface of the dough will be smooth and when you poke your finger the dough should spring back.

I like making the dough using an electric mixer.

Take a mixer bowl and put luke warm water in it,add yeast and take out 1/2 cup of plain flour from 3 and 1/2 cup of flour and add to the bowl.

Using a wire whisk,mix the dough till smooth and no lumps( will take only few seconds).

Leave it for 15 minutes.

You will see the mixture a little curdled (will become thick)

Add melted butter,beaten egg and sugar.

Run the beater for few seconds so that sugar and egg are incorporated.

Add the remaining 3 cups of flour.

Run the beater slowly and then beat in high for 3 minutes.The dough will stick to the beater.

When the dough is not sticky and leaves side then the dough is ready for rise.

Gather the dough on the counter and knead for few seconds just to make the surface smooth.

Transfer the dough in a greased bowl.

You can grease the bowl with butter or olive oil.
Toss the dough to evenly coat on all sides.

Cover with a damp cloth and leave it to rise for 1 hour in a warm place(oven or microwave)

The dough will double in size.

Make few punches.

Transfer the dough on the counter.

Spread the dough with your finger tips.

Make a rectangle and cut into 8 squares.

Take each square and pulling from all sides make a round ball.
Pinch the ends.
The smooth side should be up.
Line your baking tray with butter paper.
Lightly brush with oil.
Cupping each ball,roll it for few seconds on the counter to make the ball smooth.

Gently press each ball to flatten it and then place them on the baking tray.

Brush with butter and cover.

Leave for 1/2 hour to rise.

Pre heat oven to 375 F or 190 C
After the second rise,brush each bun with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or till the top is lightly brown.

Take out from oven and brush with butter and put a cloth on it to make the buns remain soft.

After 5 minutes slide the butter paper with the bun and remove the tray from wire rack.
After few minutes remove the buns from the butter paper and leave to cool completely on wire rack.

Remove the cloth once the burger buns are at room temperature.

Store the buns in a plastic bag or Zip lock bag.