Tuesday Thyme: Burgers and Buns

I found these recipes here and here and she originally got it from Cook's Illustrated and here. These are delicious hamburger buns and they freeze really well. I just microwaved them to thaw them and they were just like they had been the day I made them.

Homemade Sesame Seed Buns
Makes 12

1 1/4 oz. package active dry yeast (about 2 1/2 tsp.)
1 1/3 c. milk, heated to 115 degrees
1 1/2 t. + 2 T. sugar
4 c. flour
1 1/4 t. kosher salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 T. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" cubes, softened
3 t. sesame seeds
canola oil for greasing

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together yeast, milk, and 1 1/2 t. sugar, let foam.
2. Stir in remaining sugar, flour, salt, and egg with paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until dough forms.
3. Replace paddle with dough hook. Add butter.
4. Knead on medium-high until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, about 8 minutes.
5. Transfer dough to a bowl sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap. Let rest until doubled, 1-2 hours.
6. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
7. Divide dough into 12 portions, shape each into a tight ball. Place balls on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Lightly spray or brush balls with oil, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 1 to 1/2 hours. Uncover dough and, using a spray bottle filled with water, moisten dough; sprinkle each ball with 1/4 tsp sesame seeds.
8. Bake, rotating tray once in oven, until golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Let cool.

Grilled Cheeseburgers
makes 4 burgers

1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 tsp (or to taste) kosher salt
1/2 tsp (or to taste) freshly ground pepper)
1/2 - 3/4 c. cheddar cheese
Desired toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, pickles, etc.)

1. Place hamburger in large bowl. Break up with your fingers so the meat is loose.
2. Add salt, pepper, and cheese. Mix gently with your fingers until combined.
3. Divide into burgers. Shape into 1/2" - 3/4" burgers gently, pressing meat so that it holds together but is not tightly packed.
4. After each burger is formed, lay on a flat surface and press gently into the center of each burger a sligh but definite circular indentation (about 1/2" circumference). The purpose of this is to make the center of each burger slightly thinner than the rest of the burger so the burger will cook at a uniform rate.
5. After preheating and cleaning grill, cook each burger about 3 minutes on each side. Do NOT press down on hamburger with spatula during grilling.
6. Serve immediately with your favorite condiments and toppings.