Activate the yeast. Using a large standing mixer, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm milk. Take a spatula, and stir it around a couple of times. Then let it sit for about 10-15 minutes so that the yeast activates. You should see a bubbly mixture when it’s ready. See below.1 Tablespoon active dry yeast, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 ½ cups 1% milk (562 grams)

Add flour to desired consistency. Start by adding about four cups of flour plus kosher salt to the mixer. Let the mixer run, and occasionally scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Then add another cup of flour and the cubed softened butter and mix again until butter absorbs.Gradually add more flour until you get a nice dough consistency. It should be slightly sticky, but easy to handle.5 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (690 grams), 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ¼ cup softened butter

Let the dough rise. Grease a large bowl with oil. Remove the dough from the mixer, and form it into a ball. Then place it in the bowl and cover it with a clean dishtowel. Place the bowl in a warm corner of your kitchen and let rise until approximately doubled in size. The rise may be different each time and will vary depending on several factors.

Form hoagie rolls. Once the bread rises, it’s time to form the dough into desired shapes. Prepare two large baking sheets with parchment paper. (See below for my favorite pans.) Add a little oil to a pastry mat or a large flat surface (a cutting board works too), and form sections of dough into oblong shapes for rolls. Make sure you place the seems down with the ends tucked in. Place rolls along the center of the pans (six in each pan) relatively close together.I normally use a digital scale to weight each section to get approximately same sized hoagies. For me, each hoagie was about 110 grams.

Let rise again. Cover rolls with clean dish towels, and let rise again until almost doubled in size.

Prepare for baking. Use a sharp serrated edge knife to cut a deep slit along the tops of each roll. Beat one large egg with a bit of water, and use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer over the tops of the rolls.egg wash

Bake. Bake hoagie rolls in a preheated 350-degree oven, until done, approximately 18-20 minutes. The bottoms should be slightly browned. Remove rolls to wire cooling racks.