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!
Is milk bread the same as brioche? ›
The Difference Between Milk Bread and Other Breads
There are also no eggs in most yeast breads. When it comes to milk bread vs. brioche, the texture and look are similar, though brioche uses more eggs in the dough and has a sweeter taste.
What makes a brioche roll different? ›
9. What makes brioche different to most breads? 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.
Why are brioche rolls so good? ›
A brioche roll is a form of enriched dough. That means that it's made the same way as a regular roll of bread, but lots of butter and eggs are added to it. This gives it a richer flavor with a tender crumb and soft texture.
What is the best way to eat brioche? ›
Layer a few slices of sandwich meat and cheese between 2 slices of brioche. For extra flavor, spread mustard or mayonnaise on the brioche slices. Eat a brioche peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spread a fruit jelly or jam over one slice of brioche, and peanut butter over another to make a delicious snack.
Why is milk bread so good? ›
Part of what makes milk bread so satisfying to eat is that feathery softness, which many bakers attribute to tangzhong, a roux that's incorporated into the dough.
What is special about milk bread? ›
Milk bread dough is an enriched dough, which means it has dairy (milk, cream, and/or butter), eggs, oil, and/or sugar added to it. It is softer and richer than regular breads, which are made with primarily flour, water, salt, and yeast.
What bread is closest to brioche? ›
Challah bread is very similar to brioche, since it is made with eggs. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a soft, pillowy interior. Another substitute for brioche are croissants.
What are some fun facts about brioche bread? ›
The most authentic and classic brioche comes from Normandy, a region of northern France famous for the quality of its butter. Interestingly, in very authentic brioche recipes, 400g of butter per kilo of flour is required. The name "brioche" comes from the old French word "brier," which means "to crush the dough".
Are brioche and Hawaiian rolls the same? ›
Are Hawaiian rolls the same as brioche? They are similar since Hawaiian rolls and brioche are both enriched doughs, meaning they include eggs and/or butter. The main difference is that Hawaiian rolls are sweeter and include pineapple juice to give them a super yummy flavor.
Baking temperature
Some ovens run hotter than its settings, some cooler. If the oven is too hot the loaf will be brown and crispy on the outside but doughy in the middle and may collapse as it cools. When bread is baked at too low a temperature it will not rise enough in the oven resulting in a dense and sunken loaf.
How unhealthy is brioche bun? ›
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. Brioche rolls should be enjoyed in moderation due to the higher fat content, because this fat content comes mostly from saturated fats.
Is brioche bread good for hamburgers? ›
Before gaining popularity as a burger bun, Brioche buns were typically used in desserts and sweets. A brioche bun becomes one of the 'hero' ingredients in the burger, adding its own sweet flavour. This means they are best paired with burgers where the sweetness is a compliment.
What is the meaning of brioche in English? ›
: light slightly sweet bread made with a rich yeast dough.
What do you serve with sweet brioche buns? ›
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 is brioche traditionally served? ›
The origin of brioche bread says that is often served as pastries or as a base for a dessert, with many local variants adding some ingredients, fillings or seasonings of their own. It is also used as a complement to foie gras or in some other meat or poultry dishes in the kitchen.
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. Okay, I have to admit that I found it hard to lift a finger and bake these Japanese Milk Buns last week.
How do you eat sweet brioche? ›
Smeared with jam or sliced into French toast, it's breakfast. Split open and stuffed with sandwich meat and cheese, it's lunch. Served as small rolls alongside a braise or soup, it's dinner. Brioche doesn't make a bad midnight snack, either!
