Mix together water and flour in a small bowl until there are no lumps.
Microwave for 20 seconds and stir, do an additional 20 seconds if the mixture hasn't thickened to pudding like consistency. It should mound when dropped from the end of a spoon.
Dough
In a stand mixer combine flour paste and milk together. Mix until smooth.
Add in egg, stir.
Add in flour and yeast. and with dough hook attachment mix on low until flour is incorporated.
Let rest for 15 minutes.
Add sugar and salt and mix on medium low speed for 5 minutes.
Keep mixer running and add in softened butter, 1 Tbsp at a time. Continue to mix for 5 more minutes, scraping bowl if necessary.
Place dough onto a very lightly floured counter. Knead to form a ball. Place into a lightly greased bowl and lightly coat surface of dough and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Grease a 9 inch cake pan.
Transfer dough to counter and press outinto a 8 x 9 rectangle with short side facing you.
Cut into 4 equal strips lengthwise and then cut into 3 equal pieces crosswise for a total of 12 pieces.
Stretch each piece of dough into a 8 inch x 2 inch strip. Starting at short end of dough roll up into a tight cylinder. Place into greased pan seam side down.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour.
When doubled in size bake in a oven preheated to 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool on a cooling rack for 3 minutes and then remove from pan, turning upside down onto a rack and then reinvert.
Brush tops with melted butter.
Allow to cool for 20 minutes before serving (I never do)
Notes
If you all you have is dry active yeast you can definitely use that. Replace 1/2 of the milk with 1/4 cup of warm water, using only 1/4 cup of milk. Place yeast in warm water (105-110 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until foamy and bubbly.To get dough rise quicker, place the bowl of dough, covered with a towel into the oven. Turn your oven light on. The heat from the light will help it to rise faster.