Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 100-110°F
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, measured by weight (approx. 500g)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted for glaze
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
Instructions:
- Combine the 1 cup of warm milk (100-110°F) with the 3 tbsp of honey and 1 packet of yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it looks foamy and smells like a brewery. Note: If it doesn't foam, your yeast is dead; start over.
- Whisk in the 1 large egg and the 0.25 cup of cooled, melted butter. Ensure the butter isn't hot enough to scramble the egg.
- Add 2 cups of the all purpose flour and the 1 tsp salt to the liquid. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, wet paste forms.
- Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of flour while kneading. If using a mixer, use the dough hook for 5-7 minutes. If by hand, knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and bounces back when poked.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let it sit in a warm, draft free spot for 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down to release the air. Divide it into 15 equal pieces (about 60-65g each). Roll each piece into a tight ball until the surface is smooth and taut.
- Place the balls in a greased 9x13 pan. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until they are puffy and touching each other.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake for 18 minutes until the tops are deeply golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, brush the remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter over the tops. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt until the butter is absorbed and the rolls shine.
- Let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes before pulling them apart. Serve them warm while the center is still steaming.