Homemade Hamburger Buns

I was making more hamburgers then I had buns, so I decided to bake my own.  While these don't look or taste anything like store bought buns, the texture and taste is much better.  They are not as spongy, and they have a nice, light flavor.  My son wants me to fix his lunch on one of these rolls tomorrow.   They are easy to make!

Makes 8

1 package active dry yeast

3  1/2 cups flour, plus more for kneading and topping

1 cup water (105 degrees fahrenheit)

1 large egg

3 tablespoons melted butter

3 tablespoons sugar

1  1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon olive oil

• Whisk together yeast, 1/2 cup flour and water in a large bowl
• Let stand until foamy (up to 15 minutes)
• Whisk egg, melted butter, sugar and salt into foamy mixture
• Add approximately 3 cups of flour
• Mix by hand until dough is soft.  Add more flour if sticky
• Place dough on a floured work surface.  Form dough into a smooth round shape
• Wipe out bowl and spread olive oil (I used cooking spray) over bowl
• Place in round dough ball , and coat all sides
• Place in a 190 degree oven with a damp towel on top for approximately an hour (or until dough has doubled in size)  **OR cover bowl with foil and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled**
• Transfer dough to floured work surface and flatten bubbles.  make into a rounded rectangular loaf.  (5 x 10 inches and about a half inch thick)
• Cut dough into 8 even pieces
• Place each piece on a parchment papered pan
• Form each piece into a round shape and stretch to make into a half inch thick disk
• Arrange 1/2 inch apart from each other
• Dust lightly with flour
• Drape plastic wrap over them (not tightly) and let buns rise until doubled (about 1 hour)
• Place in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until the bottoms and tops are lightly brown
• Cool before cutting

-Queenie Cuisine