Brioche buns are one of those recipes I stumbled upon when I was tired of store-bought bread and wanted to try something homemade. They seemed intimidating at first, but after a few tries, I realized they were much simpler than I thought.
Now, they’re my go-to when I want soft, buttery buns that work perfectly for sandwiches, burgers, or just a warm treat with some butter. Plus, nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread coming out of your own oven.
What You’ll Need for the Brioche Dough
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these rich, fluffy brioche buns from scratch:
- 4 cups plain flour
- 100g butter, slightly cold
- 3/4 cup warm milk (100-110°F or 38-43°C)
- 3 eggs + 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon
- 1 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon water
Getting the Yeast Ready
- Stir 1 tablespoon sugar into the warm milk until dissolved.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the milk, stir gently, and cover with a tea towel.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes. If the yeast is foamy, it’s good to go. If not, try again.
Mixing the Dough
- In a mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and 3 eggs.
- Add the foamy yeast mixture to the bowl.
- Attach the dough hook and mix on low for 1-2 minutes until it starts to form a dough.
- Turn up the speed to medium-high and mix for 4-5 minutes.
Adding Butter for That Soft Texture
- Cut the butter into squares and slowly add it while mixing on medium-high.
- Keep mixing for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Letting the Dough Rise
- Grease a large bowl with olive oil.
- Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat with oil.
- Cover with a tea towel and let it proof for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
Shaping the Brioche Buns
- Punch down the dough to release the air.
- Divide it into 12 to 16 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking dish or lined tray.
Second Rise
Cover the tray with a tea towel and allow the buns to rise for another hour.
Baking the Buns
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Whisk 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of water to make an egg wash.
- Brush the egg wash over the buns.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy
Let the buns cool slightly before enjoying them. Whether you’re using them for burgers or just slathering on some butter, these homemade brioche buns are always a hit.
Homemade Brioche Bun Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups plain flour
- 100 g butter slightly cold
- ¾ cup warm milk between 100-110°F or 38-43°C
- 3 eggs + 1 egg for egg wash
- ¼ cup sugar + 1 tablespoon
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Sprinkle the instant yeast over the milk mixture. Gently stir with a whisk.
- Cover with a tea towel and let sit for 10 minutes, or until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, the milk might have been too hot or too cold; start over.
Mix the Dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, ¼ cup sugar, salt, and 3 eggs.
- Check the yeast mixture. If foamy, add it to the bowl.
- Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for 1-2 minutes to combine.
- Increase speed to medium-high and mix for 4-5 minutes until dough starts to come together.
- Cut butter into small pieces and gradually add to the dough. Continue mixing on medium-high speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
Proof the Dough:
- Grease a large bowl with olive oil, spreading it around the bottom.
- Transfer the dough to the greased bowl, turning it to coat with oil.
- Cover with a tea towel and let it proof for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape and Second Proofing:
- Punch down the dough to release air.
- Divide the dough into 12-16 pieces, depending on your desired bun size.
- Shape each piece into a ball and place in a greased 9″x13″ baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Cover with a tea towel and proof for another 1 hour.
Bake the Buns:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Brush the buns gently with an egg wash made by whisking 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Cool and Enjoy:
- Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with a pat of salted butter or use them for your favorite sandwiches!
Notes
- 🧈 For extra richness, you can use a little more butter in the dough.
- 🕰️ The dough can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
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