Step 1

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup flour and warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Let sit until mixture becomes foamy, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3

Stir the egg, melted butter, sugar and salt thoroughly into the yeast mixture. Add the remaining 3 cups of flour.

Step 4

Fit a dough hook and knead on low speed until dough is soft and sticky, about 5 to 6 minutes. If by hand about 10 minutes.

Step 5

If need to, stop and scape the side down with a spatula. Usually the dough will pull most of it off the side. Do an evaluation to check if you need a little more flour after a few minutes of kneading. This is how to check. The dough should be soft, sticky and elastic but not so sticky that it will stick to a spatula or to the fingers when touched. Then knead for another 2 to 3 minutes. (Total is 5 to 6 minutes kneading)

Step 6

Transfer dough onto a floured work surface. The finished dough should be smooth, feel slightly tacky, and spring back when poked. Form the dough into a smooth round shape.

Step 7

Drizzle or brush olive oil into the stand mixer bowl and turn the dough over in the bowl to coat surface with oil. Cover the bowl with aluminium foil. Let dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until double in size.

Step 8

After the dough has risen, knocked out the air in the dough with a spatula. Then transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Pat to flatten and form into a slightly rounded rectangle of 1/2 inch thick. Dust dough lightly with flour if needed. Cut dough in half. Then cut one half into four equal pieces to make hamburger buns. Cut the other half into also 4 equal pieces to make hot dog buns.

Step 9

Form each piece into a round shape, gently tucking ends underneath the dough. Gently pat and stretch the dough rounds into flat disc shape about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 10

Transfer the buns onto the prepared baking sheet. Dust buns lightly with flour.

Step 11

Then lightly and loosely place a piece of cling wrap over the buns on the baking sheet. Let buns rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 12

Preheat oven to 190 degree C/ 375 degree F.

Step 13

Then beat 1 egg with milk until mixture is well mixed.

Step 14

When the buns have almost doubled in size, GENTLY and LIGHTLY brush the tops with egg wash. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds,

Step 15

Then baked in preheated oven until lightly browned on top, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing or serving.

Step 16

Melt 2 tablespoons butter and let cool.

Step 17

Turn each piece of cut dough cut-side up and form into a hot dog bun shape about 5 inches long. Transfer these dough, cut-sides up, to the prepared baking sheet and arrange them about 1/4 inch apart.

Step 18

Cut a slit down the centre of each bun.

Step 19

Brush melted butter over the top and sides of each bun.

Step 20

Let rise until double, about 45 minutes.

Step 21

Preheat oven to 190 degree C/ 375 degree F.

Step 22

Bake buns in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 23

Brush again the tops with remaining melted butter.

Step 24

Let cool completely before use.