Homemade Sliders

Ingredients:

• 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
• 0.5 cup warm water (45°C)
• 2/3 cup milk (room temperature)
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp (45 g) butter (melted and slightly cooled)
• 2 tbsp. l. plus 1.5 tsp. Sahara
• 1.25 tsp salt
• 3 cups (450 g) premium flour
• Protein of 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp. water
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds (or poppy seeds)

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let sit for 10 minutes, until the mixture is foamy.
2. Whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter. Pour this mixture into the yeast mixture, then add the sugar, salt, and flour.
3. Knead the dough by hand or in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead for 8-10 minutes, adding a little flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, the counter, or the mixer bowl. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
4. Generously grease the inside of a large bowl with vegetable oil or butter. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl. Roll it around to coat the surface of the dough with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Line a baking tray with baking paper or lightly grease with oil.
   
   Shape the dough into a rectangle and cut it into 18 pieces weighing 45–50 grams (or less). Roll each piece of dough into a tight ball and flatten it slightly with the palm of your hand. Place the pieces on a baking sheet, spacing them 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) apart.
6. Cover the buns with a light kitchen towel and leave to rise in a draft-free place for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 190°C.
8. Prepare the egg wash, whisking the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water. Before baking, brush each bun with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. If you're skipping this step, brush the hot buns with melted butter.
9. Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
   
   Cool the finished buns on a wire rack and separate them from each other.
   
   

   Making buns in a bread machine

   
   If you have a bread machine, it will do some of the work for you. You'll still have to shape the buns by hand, but at least the dough will be perfectly kneaded.
   
   In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg. Pour the milk mixture into the bread machine according to the manufacturer's instructions, then add the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
   
   Start the dough kneading cycle.
   
   Place the finished dough on a floured work surface, shape into buns and bake as described above.
   
   

   An alternative way to form buns

   
   You can also cut buns more easily without using a kitchen scale. To achieve the perfect shape, use a cookie cutter. These come in various sizes, including round and square. You can also use a pastry cutter to cut the buns to the desired size.
   
   Roll out half of the dough into a layer 0.5 – 0.8 cm thick.
   
   Cut it with a 4 cm cookie cutter. A 5 cm cutter works great for larger buns.
   
   Repeat with the remaining dough and arrange the bun shapes on the prepared baking sheet. Then, as described above, let the dough rise and bake.