Back to Basics – Basic Dough

Here's how:

• 1

  Dissolve the yeast in the milk and water. Combine all the ingredients and knead in a mixer—3 minutes on low and 10 minutes on high—until the dough is elastic and smooth. Double the time if you’re kneading by hand.

• 2

  Take the dough out and knead it a little by hand, shape it into a round, put it back in the bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

• 3

  While the dough is resting, prepare your desired filling.

• 4

  Take the dough and shape it into buns, then place them on parchment paper. Flavor your buns as desired, or make plain wheat buns. Let your buns rise in a turned-off oven with only the light on for 60–90 minutes, or under a towel at room temperature for 90–120 minutes.

• 5

  Remove the buns from the oven, let them cool to room temperature, and brush them with egg. Preheat the oven to 240 °C. Bake the buns in the middle of the oven for about 10 minutes or until they are golden brown.