Our Best Brioche Bun Food

PERFECT BRIOCHE BUNS

Steps:

• Measure all the ingredients.
• Add the milk, yeast and honey into the mixing bowl and whisk gently to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
• Add the eggs and yolks, vanilla, and sugar, and whisk gently to break the egg yolks.
• Add the flour and sea salt, and mix with a spatula or dough whisk to form a scraggly dough.
• With the dough hook attachment, knead the dough on speed 2 or 3 for about 3 - 5 minutes.
• Add the first portion of butter, in increments, after the first minute of kneading. Allow the butter to be mixed well into the dough. This should take about 1 - 2 minutes.
• Repeat with the other 3 portions of butter, kneading the dough for about 2 minutes after each addition.
• Make sure to stop the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl (and the bottom) between adding butter and kneading. You will have incorporated all the butter in about 9 - 10 minutes of kneading time.
• Once all the butter is incorporated, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and knead the dough for a further 5 - 15 minutes on speed 5 or 6.
• The dough will have been kneaded enough when it can be lifted fairly cleanly off the bottom of the bowl when picked up with the dough hook. It will be very soft and tacky to the touch, but shouldn't stick to your fingertips. Rather than strictly going by time, knead the dough until you have reached this consistency.
• Flour your work surface, and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Lightly flour your hands and the surface of the dough to prevent the dough from sticking to your palms. Then flatten the dough with your hands to deflate.
• Fold in the edges of the dough towards the middle and gently press them into the dough (see pictures in my brioche bread loaf post for more information). Carefully flip the dough over, and then with the heel of your palms, shape the dough to form a tight ball.
• Carefully pick up the dough ball and place it back in the mixer bowl (or another large bowl).
• Let it rise until it has doubled in size, in a warm place (72°F), for about 1 hour.
• Turn the proofed dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and fold in the edges again as before towards the middle and press them in. Carefully flip the dough over (seam side down now). Tighten the dough into a ball with a smooth, taut surface (using the edges of your palms). Transfer the dough into the mixer bowl again.
• Cover and let it chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. The dough will be much easier to work with now.
• Line a few baking trays with parchment paper. Keep a bowl of flour, a scale, and a dough cutter ready.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Deflate the dough by flattening it lightly.
• Measure the weight of the dough, and then divide it into 16 pieces (about 75 g per portion).
• Each portion will bake into a burger bun that is 9 - 9.5 cm in diameter. Please see the table in the post for different sizes and yields.
• Place each dough portion on your work surface, with the smooth side down. Fold in the edges towards the middle. Pinch the seams together.
• Dip the smooth side of the dough in a little flour. Carefully flip the dough over, and then using a cupped palm, and with the seam side down, roll the dough portion on your work surface until you get a smooth dough ball.
• Place the smooth, rolled dough on the parchment paper-lined baking tray; 6 buns on a baking tray plus 2 more on another tray.
• Repeat with the other dough portions to get 16 smooth dough balls.
• After arranging the dough balls on your baking trays, flatten them slightly. Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap. This is important to prevent a skin from forming on the dough as it proofs.
• Proof the bread in the covered loaf pans for about 2 hours at room temperature, or until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C before baking the buns. You can check if the buns are proofed by doing the indentation test (see recipe notes).
• Once proofed, brush the tops with an egg wash. Optional - sprinkle sesame seeds on top. For more flavor, you can sprinkle everything bagel seasoning as well.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, and the internal temperature registers 190°F / 88°C. This can take about 10 - 12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let the buns cool slightly.
• Transfer the buns to a wire rack and let them cool down to room temperature. They're ready to be served now.
• I prefer to bake one tray at a time. But you can bake two at a time as well, just make sure to switch the tray positions halfway through the baking time. To prevent over-proofing, refrigerate the remaining baking trays with the proofed buns (still covered in plastic wrap) until they're ready to be baked.

OUR BEST BRIOCHE BUN RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• To make the tangzhong, combine the milk and flour in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a paste, about 1 minute.
• Transfer the tangzhong to the bowl of an electric stand mixer, then add the cold milk and mix with a spatula to combine (this will help cool the mixture slightly before adding the remaining ingredients).
• Add the yeast, sugar, milk powder, egg, salt, and flour to the mixture. With the hook attachment, mix the dough on medium speed until it is smooth, elastic, and pulling away from the sides of the bowl, about 10 minutes.
• Add the butter to the bowl and mix until fully incorporated, about 8 minutes.
• Very lightly flour a work surface, then turn the dough out onto it. Use a bench scraper to bring the dough into a tight ball. Transfer to a greased bowl, then cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot to proof until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into 9 portions, about 90 grams each. Working with one ball of dough at a time, flatten out the dough, then pull in the corners of the dough to make a ball. Turn the ball seam-side down and roll tight, using the tension from the counter to roll tightly. (Avoid over flouring the surface because it makes shaping difficult and if too much flour is incorporated into the dough it will make the buns dry.) Set the buns aside on the counter and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough, keeping about an inch of space between each.
• Let the buns rest for about 10 minutes to let the dough relax, then give them a final roll to tighten back up. Place on the the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between (do not place more than 5 on a baking sheet).
• Cover the buns with some lightly greased plastic wrap. Leave the buns to rise again until puffy and doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. When there is about 10 minutes left, position two racks in the upper and lower third of the oven and heat to 375 F.
• To make the egg wash , whisk together the egg and milk. Gently, brush the buns all over with the egg wash. Sprinkle all over with sesame seeds.
• Bake until deep golden brown, flipping the pans in the oven half way through baking, about 15 minutes total.
• Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice and served with butter or make your favorite sandwich.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix on low speed to combine. Add the milk and 6 eggs and mix on low until well combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the dough starts to pull away from the sides, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium and start adding the butter, a little at a time and waiting until it is completely incorporated to add more, about 5 minutes. Return the mixer to medium-high and continue to mix until the dough is glossy and slightly tacky but not sticky, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, then cover with plastic and refrigerate 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Generously butter two 9-by-5-inch nonstick loaf pans and divide the dough between them. Generously butter two pieces of plastic wrap large enough to cover the pans and place them butter-side down loosely over the pans. Let the dough rise until it comes to 1 inch above the rims of the pans, about 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water. Remove the plastic wrap and brush the top of each loaf with the egg wash, then place the pans on the middle rack of the oven. Bake, rotating halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature of each loaf is 190 degrees F, about 30 minutes. Remove the pans to a wire rack and let cool 5 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the loaves to loosen and remove the loaves from the pan. Let cool completely on the rack.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the 1/2 cup sugar and the olive oil. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk the egg yolks into the yeast mixture until well blended. Whisk in 1 cup of the flour, the rest of the 1/2 cup sugar, and the salt. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place for 1 hour.
• Whisk in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, switching to a wooden spoon when necessary, until too stiff to stir. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes, adding more flour 1 tablespoon at a time as necessary if the dough is sticky.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into 12 portions, shaping each into a ball. Place each ball in a muffin cup and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white and sugar just until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
• Bake the rolls for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and brush with the egg white mixture while still warm. Let cool in the pan.
• To serve, slice in half and fill with a scoop of sorbetto.

BRIOCHE BUNS

Steps:

• Mix the warm water, yeast, warm milk and sugar in a bowl. Let it stand for 5 mins until it becomes frothy - this is how you know the yeast is working.
• Tip the flour and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl, add the butter and rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Make a well in the centre of the buttery flour and add the warm yeast mixture and the eggs.
• Use your hands to mix it into a sticky dough - don't worry if the mixture feels a little wet at this stage, it will come together when kneading. Tip the dough out onto a floured work surface.
• Knead the dough for 10 mins by stretching it on the work surface - it will still be very sticky at this stage but don't be tempted to add too much flour.
• The dough is ready when it feels soft and bouncy - this means that the gluten strands have developed. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with cling film and set aside to rise for 1-3 hrs or until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has doubled in size, knock the air out and knead again for 2 mins. The dough should be much less sticky now, but add a little flour if it needs it.
• Divide the dough into 12-16 even pieces. Roll into balls and arrange on lined baking trays. Loosely cover with oiled cling film and leave for about 1 hr or until doubled in size again. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and place a shallow baking tray at the bottom.
• Uncover the trays, brush the buns with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Pour a cup of water into a baking tray at the bottom of the oven to create steam (see Tips for success, left). Bake for 20 mins or until golden, then leave to cool on a wire rack.

MINI BRIOCHE ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine the water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (If the bowl is cold, start with warmer water so it's at least 110 degrees when you add the yeast.) Mix with your hands and allow to stand for 5 minutes until the yeast and sugar dissolve. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, until well mixed. With the mixer on low speed, add 2 cups of the flour and the salt and mix for 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low, add 2 1/4 more cups of flour and mix for 5 more minutes. Scrape the dough into a large buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Meanwhile, grease 20 mini brioche tins. Set aside.
• Place the dough in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the softened butter in chunks, and mix for 2 minutes, adding additional flour as needed to make a ball. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and divide the dough into 20 (1 3/4-ounce) balls and place them in the tins. Cover the tins with a damp towel and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. When the rolls have risen, brush the top of each with the egg wash and bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops spring back and it sounds slightly hollow when tapped. Turn the rolls out onto a wire rack to cool.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook. Add the salt to one side and sugar to the other. Pour in the yeast to the side with the sugar. Mix each side into the flour with your hands, then mix it all together with the dough hook.
• Heat the milk until warm to the touch, but not hot. Mix into the flour mix until combined. With the dough hook on medium, gradually add the eggs and mix for 10 mins.
• Gradually add the softened butter, one or two cubes at a time, until combined. This will take 5-8 mins. Scrape down the sides, the dough will be very soft.
• Scrape the dough into a large bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave for 1 hr 30 mins-2 hrs until doubled in size and well-risen. Once risen, put in the fridge for 1 hr.
• Line the bottom and sides of a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Portion the dough into seven equal pieces (the easiest way to do this accurately is to weigh it). Lightly dust a work surface with flour, take a piece of dough and pull each corner into the middle to form a circular shape. With a bit of pressure, push down and roll into ball. Repeat with the six remaining pieces.
• Put the balls into the tin, four on one side and three in the gaps on the other side. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 30-35 mins until almost doubled in size. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly brush the dough with the egg wash and bake for 30-35 mins until golden and risen. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 mins, then remove and cool completely.