Homemade hamburger buns

Just about the time I got home from the store, I realized I had forgotten something I needed for that evening's dinner — hamburger buns.  Sigh.  I really didn't feel like turning around and running out to the store again.  What to do?  Well, I was going to make homemade hamburger buns instead, that's what. 

In retrospect, I would have saved a lot of time if I had just run back to the store, but never mind that, I actually came upon a good recipe.  And they're so much better than store bought buns.  Not only are they great with hamburgers, they're delicious as sandwich rolls, too.

1 c milk
1 c water
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
5 1/2 c unbleached flour
1 envelope active dry yeast
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp water
1 tsp poppy seeds

Combine milk, 1 c water, butter, sugar and salt in a saucepan.  Bring to boil and remove from heat.  Let stand until lukewarm.  (If mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast.)  In large bowl, stir together flour and yeast.  Pour in wet ingredients and stir until dough starts to pull together.  Knead dough on floured surface for about 10 mins. and place in greased bowl, turning to coat.  Cover and let rise double in size, about 1 hour.  Punch down the dough and divide into 12 portions.  Make tight balls by pulling dough tightly around and pinching it at the bottom.  Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  After rolls sit for a minute to relax, flatten each ball with the palm of your hand until 3-4 inches wide.  Set aside until double in size, about 20 mins.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a small bowl, mix together egg yolk and 1 tbsp water.  Brush onto the tops of the rolls and sprinkle with poppy seeds.  Bake 15-20 mins, or until nicely browned on the tops and bottoms.