Milk brioche rolls are a delectable, soft, and rich pastry, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. These rolls are characterized by their golden-brown exterior, which has a slightly crisp texture, and a soft, fluffy interior that melts in your mouth. The key to their delightful flavor and texture is the use of high-quality milk, which adds a creamy richness.
The dough for these rolls is made using a traditional brioche recipe, which includes a generous amount of butter, giving them a tender, rich crumb and a buttery taste. The dough is carefully kneaded to develop gluten, which contributes to the rolls’ soft, airy texture. After kneading, the dough undergoes a slow fermentation process, often in a cool place, which allows the flavors to develop fully.
Once the dough has risen and doubled in size, it’s divided into small portions and shaped into smooth, round rolls. This shaping process is crucial as it ensures the rolls bake evenly and have a uniform appearance. Before baking, the rolls are often brushed with an egg wash, which gives them a shiny, golden finish.
In the oven, the rolls bake until they reach the perfect balance of a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The aroma of butter and freshly baked bread fills the air as they cook. These milk brioche rolls are best enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven, where their buttery and milky flavors are most pronounced. They can be served plain, or with a variety of spreads like jam, honey, or even more butter for an indulgent treat. The contrast between the golden crust and the light, airy center makes each bite a delightful experience.
Milk brioche rolls are versatile and can be adapted to various flavors. Some variations include adding ingredients like chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts into the dough, or even filling the rolls with sweet or savory ingredients. Regardless of the variation, these rolls remain a favorite for their rich flavor and luxurious texture.
Ingredients:
For the Brioche Dough:
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (180ml) warm whole milk
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 10 tablespoons (140g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg yolk for egg wash
- Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions:
Making the Brioche Dough:
- Activate the Yeast:In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the bread flour, sugar, and salt.
- Mixing the Dough:Add the activated yeast mixture and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.
- Incorporate Butter:Cut the softened butter into small cubes and gradually add them to the dough, mixing on medium speed. Continue mixing for 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It might be sticky but avoid adding more flour.
- First Rise:Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Shaping and Baking:
- Preheat the Oven:Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide and Shape:Punch down the risen dough to release excess air. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions, shaping each into a smooth ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each roll to allow for rising.
- Second Rise:Cover the shaped rolls loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until they double in size.
- Egg Wash and Topping:In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk. Gently brush the risen rolls with the egg wash. If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top for added flavor and texture.
- Bake:Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cooling:Once baked, transfer the rolls to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
These milk brioche rolls are wonderfully soft and rich, perfect for enjoying fresh out of the oven or using for sandwiches. Enjoy the delightful taste and texture of these homemade rolls!
FAQs
When we talk about the common pairings, we're most often thinking of the savory taste chocolate hazelnut spread brings to the buttery brioche, or the fruity taste that your favorite jam brings to our tongues. You can probably add salted butter and honey to the list!
Are milk buns the same as brioche? ›
They're not as buttery as brioche, making them a much healthier alternative for your family. Also known as Japanese milk buns or Hokkaido bread, they've been widely popular in Asia – and now we're bringing them to you in Sydney.
What makes a brioche bun so special? ›
Brioche is different to most breads because it's made with an enriched dough and tastes a little sweeter. . Because it's an enriched dough, you get that famous brioche texture of soft bread, the classic golden colour and quintessentially rich taste.
What is brioche bread best used for? ›
You can eat it as a side or main dish. It's great with jam or used as a base for French toast. You can even make a savory bread pudding. Brioche bread is a comfort food that hits the spot.
What pairs well with brioche? ›
Add Parisian flair to smoked salmon and cream cheese with a St Pierre Brioche Bun. Combining the lightly sweet flavour of the brioche with the fresh flavours of the smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado, and topped off with a fried egg, it's a delicious way to kick start the morning.
How do you eat milk brioche rolls? ›
Try brioche buns with your breakfast if you get tired of slices. Eat the brioche buns plain, or cut them in half with a knife and spread butter and jam over the inside. You can also toast the cut sides of the brioche buns before you eat them.
Why are brioche buns healthier? ›
Brioche contains a higher protein content than plain white bread due to the inclusion of eggs, which is beneficial for health.
Why do restaurants use brioche buns? ›
Brioche burger buns are naturally fluffy, buttery, rich, and soft. They toast up well, and don't mask the flavors of the burger the way other rolls have been known to do.
How do the French eat brioche? ›
Brioche is considered a bit like cake or cookies. It is sweet, therefore you eat it as a snack, for breakfast, with tea or coffee but rarely as dessert (unless the meal is perticularly light.)
Why does brioche need to sit overnight? ›
Let the dough rise overnight.
Overnight proofing also allows the dough to develop more flavor, and it means that you can sleep in and still have fresh baked bread ready in time for brunch.
Brioche is one of the costliest bakery products because of its high proportion of butter and eggs.
Do you eat brioche with butter? ›
For lunch, it's nice to have a sandwich (especially if you had french toast for breakfast). Knowing that the shape of the brioche may vary, we recommend a simple ham-and-cheese sandwich with a leaf of lettuce (for the green). You can even spread some butter to accentuate the delicious taste of your homemade brioche.
How long does brioche bread last? ›
It is best to store your brioche bread at room temperature. It should keep for up to 2 weeks in your bread box or pantry. 13 Keeping bread in the refrigerator may prevent molding, but it speeds up staling. You can store your brioche bread in the freezer for up to 5 months, which may prevent both molding and staling.
What is the difference between brioche and bread rolls? ›
Brioche rolls and regular rolls are different in that brioche rolls require more eggs and butter in their recipe than regular rolls. Although both brioche rolls and regular rolls contain eggs and butter, the fact that brioche rolls contain more of these ingredients means that these rolls are higher in fat content.
How do you eat milk buns? ›
Japanese Milk Buns are known for their distinct, milky taste and their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These soft dinner rolls are perfect with any kind of jam or spread but are delicious on their own.
How do you eat French brioche rolls? ›
Try brioche buns with your breakfast if you get tired of slices. Eat the brioche buns plain, or cut them in half with a knife and spread butter and jam over the inside. You can also toast the cut sides of the brioche buns before you eat them.
How do you eat butter brioche rolls? ›
Our Brioche Rolls with Butter are ideal for splitting and filling with your favourite spread or sandwich fillings. And our Chocolate Chip Brioche Rolls are delicious as they are or even lightly warmed and toasted. Try them with a light spread of butter, or dipped into your morning coffee for a great start to any day.
