Mix all the ingredients except the flour into a large bowl. Stir in one cup of the flour. Cover and let sit for 2-3 hours.
When the dough is bubbly, add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until it makes a soft dough. You should only need about 3 more cups.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until the dough it somewhat smooth, about 15 times.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place dough balls, about the size of a large lemon, on the parchment. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours. They will not double in size so make them pretty close to the size you’ll want for your burgers or sliders.
Preheat the oven to 375°, then bake the buns for about 15 to 20 minutes or until they are brown on top. Remove from the oven and rub a small amount of butter on the top.