Happy Monday! I started my week with this wonderful, homey, cozy braided egg buns. How about yours?

I know making bread might sound pretty intimidating and impossible. But it’s just that first step you start it, and trust me, you will get addicted!

Ingredients (4 to 6 buns):
Bun
3/4 cup milk, warm to touch
2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast
1/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Egg Wash
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
To prepare buns, in the standing mixer, add milk and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes, or until you see foam at the top.
Add the remaining ingredients except sesame seeds, and mix with a hook attachment until the dough comes together, about 5 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover the bowl with a lightly damped tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
Gently deflate the dough, cover it and let rise again for an hour.
Move the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into four to six long pieces. Cut each piece of dough in half and roll out each half into a thin rope. Place one rope of dough over the second, creating a cross. Bring the ends of the vertical rope over the horizontal rope, crossing over completely. Repeat this with the horizontal rope and continue crossing the ropes over until you reach the ends of the dough. Tuck in the end pieces and place the bun on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Let bread sit in a warm, dry place for another 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the egg yolk and milk to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the egg wash over the buns.
Sprinkle sesame seeds on each bun, and bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown on top.