Kittencal's Hamburger/Burger Buns

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm whole milk
• 4 tablespoons sugar (for a less sweeter bun reduce to 3 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup melted Crisco shortening (I use butter flavor)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour (U.S. residents use bread flour, you may need more four start with 3-1/2 cups and add in more while m)
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed

Directions

1. 1

   Proof the yeast in 1 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar; let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

2. 2

   In a heavy duty stand mixer, fitted with a kneader hook, add in the 3-1/2 cups flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, melted Crisco, warm milk and salt (and the malt powder if using).

3. 3

   Add in the proofed yeast; mix to create a soft semi-sticky dough that holds around the blade, adding in more flour as needed (do not add in too much as it will create a heavy bun, dough should be semi-sticky.

4. 4

   Knead dough for 7-8 minutes.

5. 5

   Remove dough, and let rest on the counter, covered with a clean dish towel for 10 minutes (this is an important step!).

6. 6

   Knead the dough gently for 30 seconds with hands.

7. 7

   Place dough in a large well-greased/oiled bowl.

8. 8

   Cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes, or until double in size (I like to rise my dough in the oven, just set oven to 200 degrees and warm for 3 minutes, then turn off the heat while you are making the dough, this will create a perfect temperature to raise dough in, and usually takes only 1 hour to rise with oven method).

9. 9

   Punch down dough.

10. 10

    Shape into large balls, and place on a large greased cookie sheet (you should get 12 balls on the sheet).

11. 11

    Cover with a light clean tea towel, and let rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, or until almost doubled (warm oven rise should take 30 minutes.

12. 12

    Set oven to 375 degrees.

13. 13

    In a small bowl, mix together 1 egg white with 1 tsp water; whisk/mix well.

14. 14

    Carefully brush the tops and sides of the buns with the egg/water mixture.

15. 15

    Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

16. 16

    Bake for approx.22 minutes, or until golden brown.