Kittencal's Sub/sandwich Buns

Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons dry yeast (use 2 tablespoons yeast, even 1-3/4 tbsp will do fine)
• 1/4 cup crisco shortening, melted
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (can reduce to 1 teaspoon)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)

Recipe

• 1 prepare a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with a kneader attachment.
• 2 place about 3-1/2 cups flour in the bowl.
• 3 melt the shortening in the microwave; add to the bowl with the flour.
• 4 in a measuring cup, measure out 1 cup milk, then add in 4 tablespoons sugar and the salt; heat until quite warm in the microwave, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt.
• 5 pour the milk into the bowl with the melted shortening and flour; cover the bowl with a towel to keep ingredients warm.
• 6 proof the yeast in a 3/4 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar for about 8-10 minutes or until foamy.
• 7 after proofing, add to the bowl and start kneading for about 3-4 minutes, then add in more flour as needed to create a soft semi-sticky dough, knead about 8 more minutes until smooth.
• 8 place the dough on a very lightly floured counter or board; let rest for 5-10 minutes, covered with a clean tea towel.
• 9 grease a large bowl, then place the dough into bowl to rise in a warm place for about 50-60 minutes (because of the amount of yeast, the dough should take a shorter rising time in a warm place).
• 10 punch down dough.
• 11 cut into pieces (i usually cut into 6 pieces), and shape large balls.
• 12 let dough balls rest for about 4 minutes (or just enough time to make shaping easier).
• 13 shape the dough into desired length for buns.
• 14 sprinkle a large cookie/baking sheet with cornmeal, or lightly grease with cooking spray.
• 15 place the long pieces of dough on a baking sheet (shape once again if you need to).
• 16 cover and let rise for about 25 minutes, or until doubled.
• 17 set oven to 375 degrees.
• 18 bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until dark golden brown.
• 19 if desired after the second rising and just before baking, beat one egg white with 1 teaspoon cold water, then brush on buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.