Start by preheating your oven to 200℉, then turn it off. This creates a warm environment for the dough to rise. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your rolls will be fluffy and light.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, honey, melted butter, and eggs until well combined. This mixture adds flavor and moisture to the rolls.
In the bowl of your KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Stand Mixer, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt, mixing to combine. This will help distribute the yeast evenly throughout the dough.
Next, add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients in the mixer. Mix on low speed for about 3 to 5 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should be soft but not overly sticky. If it feels too wet, you can add more flour a little at a time, but be careful not to exceed 4 cups total.
Transfer your dough to a lightly greased or sprayed glass or metal bowl. Cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and place it in the warm oven you prepared earlier. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour to 1½ hours or until it has doubled in size. This is the magic of yeast – watch it work!
While the dough is rising, prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray or greasing it with some butter. Set it aside for later use.
Once the dough has risen, lightly flour your work surface. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on the floured surface. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a round shape. Place them into the prepared baking pan.
Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap again, and return it to the warm oven. Allow the rolls to rise for an additional 30 minutes or until they have doubled in size. This second rise is crucial for achieving that soft texture.
Preheat your oven to 375℉. This will ensure that the rolls bake evenly and thoroughly.
Brush the tops of the risen rolls with the beaten egg, then sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. This adds a lovely golden color and a hint of nuttiness.
Finally, place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking to ensure they don’t overbrown.