Nepedia

Brioche

Twelve buttery breakfast rolls with a fine, tender crumb. Make the dough the evening before so it is firm enough to shape the next morning.

Twelve glossy golden round brioches arranged in three rows on a black cooling rack.
Makes
12 individual brioches
Heat
190°C conventional
Baking time
18–22 min
Cuisine / style
France
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Brioche

Makes
12 individual brioches
Heat
190°C conventional
Baking time
18–22 min
Cuisine / style
France
France · Brioche

Brioche

Twelve buttery breakfast rolls with a fine, tender crumb. Make the dough the evening before so it is firm enough to shape the next morning.

Method

  1. 01 · Mix and develop the dough

    10–13 min

    Use: Strong white bread flour; Caster sugar; Instant dried yeast; Fine salt; Whole milk; Eggs

    Put the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk and three dough eggs in a stand-mixer bowl. Fit the dough hook, mix on low until combined, then knead at the manufacturer’s recommended dough speed for 8–10 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.

    Ready when: The dough is cohesive and stretches before tearing; it may still cling to the bottom of the bowl.

    Baker beside a stopped stand mixer holding elastic dough on its hook, with six butter pieces on a plate.
    01 Brioche — step 1Develop the dough before adding the butter.
  2. 02 · Work in the butter

    12–18 min

    Use: Unsalted butter

    With the mixer running slowly, add the butter a piece at a time, waiting until each piece disappears before adding the next. Keep mixing, allowing 12–18 minutes in total for adding the butter and finishing the dough. Scrape the bowl once or twice. If the dough becomes greasy or the bowl feels warm, stop and chill the covered bowl for 15 minutes before continuing.

    Ready when: The butter is fully absorbed. The dough looks smooth and glossy and can stretch into a thin patch without immediately breaking.

    Baker gently stretches a glossy thin sheet of brioche dough above the mixer bowl.
    02 Brioche — step 2Mix until the butter is absorbed and the dough stretches thinly.
  3. 03 · Let the dough begin to rise

    60 min

    Use:

    Scrape the dough into a covered bowl with room for expansion. Leave at about 22–24°C for 1 hour.

    Ready when: The dough begins to swell and feels lighter; it does not need to double before chilling.

    Hands lower a clear cover over a glass bowl containing a glossy dome of brioche dough.
    03 Brioche — step 3Cover the dough for its first rise.
  4. 04 · Chill overnight

    480–720 min

    Use:

    Press the dough down gently, cover the bowl well and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. Allow space under the cover for the dough to expand.

    Ready when: The dough is cold and firm enough to lift and divide without smearing.

    Baker places the covered glass bowl of brioche dough on a refrigerator shelf.
    04 Brioche — step 4Refrigerate the covered dough with room to expand.
  5. 05 · Shape the rolls

    12–15 min

    Use: Unsalted butter

    Grease all twelve wells of a standard muffin tin with the tin butter. Divide the cold dough into twelve equal pieces, about 70 g each. Fold each piece’s edges into its centre, turn it over and cup it against the clean work surface to make a smooth ball. Put each ball seam-side down in a well.

    Ready when: The balls are evenly sized with closed seams. Work while the dough is cold; chill it briefly if it softens.

    Eleven round dough balls fill a three-by-four muffin tin as the baker places the twelfth in the empty corner well.
    05 Brioche — step 5Shape twelve equal balls and place them in the greased muffin tin.
  6. 06 · Proof the rolls and heat the oven

    150–240 min

    Use:

    Cover the tin loosely and let the buns rise at about 24–26°C for 2½–4 hours. Keep them away from direct heat. During the final 20 minutes, heat a conventional oven to 190°C with a rack in the middle.

    Ready when: The buns are noticeably larger, soft and gently wobbly. A light fingertip dent returns slowly; tight, firm dough needs more time.

    Baker lifts a loose transparent cover above twelve risen pale brioche domes in the muffin tin.
    06 Brioche — step 6Let the buns rise until noticeably larger and soft.
  7. 07 · Glaze and bake

    18–22 min

    Use: Egg

    Brush the tops lightly with the beaten glaze egg without letting it pool around the edges; discard unused wash. Bake at 190°C conventional for 18–22 minutes, checking from 18 minutes. If the tops darken before the centres are baked, cover loosely with foil.

    Ready when: The tops are deep golden and the sides feel set. A probe inserted into the centre of a middle bun should read at least 88°C.

    Baker wearing oven mitts lowers a tin of twelve golden round brioches onto a trivet.
    07 Brioche — step 7Bake the lightly glazed buns until deep golden and set.
  8. 08 · Cool the brioches

    60 min

    Use:

    Leave the buns in the tin for 5 minutes, then lift them onto a wire rack. Let them cool for about 1 hour before storing.

    Ready when: The sides hold their shape and the centres no longer release visible steam when opened.

    Baker sets the last of twelve golden brioches on a wire rack beside the empty muffin tin.
    08 Brioche — step 8Lift the buns onto a wire rack to cool.

What to look for

StageLook / feel forNeeds attention
Mix and develop the doughThe dough is cohesive and stretches before tearing; it may still cling to the bottom of the bowl.
Work in the butterThe butter is fully absorbed. The dough looks smooth and glossy and can stretch into a thin patch without immediately breaking.
Let the dough begin to riseThe dough begins to swell and feels lighter; it does not need to double before chilling.
Chill overnightThe dough is cold and firm enough to lift and divide without smearing.
Shape the rollsThe balls are evenly sized with closed seams. Work while the dough is cold; chill it briefly if it softens.
Proof the rolls and heat the ovenThe buns are noticeably larger, soft and gently wobbly. A light fingertip dent returns slowly; tight, firm dough needs more time.
Glaze and bakeThe tops are deep golden and the sides feel set. A probe inserted into the centre of a middle bun should read at least 88°C.
Cool the briochesThe sides hold their shape and the centres no longer release visible steam when opened.

Troubleshooting

If you see thisLikely causeWhat to do nowNext time
Butter smears around the bowl instead of mixing in.The butter was too soft, added too quickly, or the dough became warm.Stop mixing and chill the covered bowl for 15 minutes, then resume slowly.Use cool, pliable butter and add it in small portions after developing dough strength.
The shaped buns stay small and firm.The chilled dough is still cold, the room is cool, or the yeast is weak.Allow more time in a mild 24–26°C place and watch for swelling and softness.Use yeast within date and allow several hours for final proof; do not use a hot oven to hurry the buns.
The outside is dark but the centre is doughy.The buns browned before enough heat reached the centres.Cover loosely with foil and continue baking until the centres set and reach at least 88°C.Use equal portions, preheat accurately and check a middle bun rather than relying on colour alone.

Storage: Once completely cool, keep airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze the cooled buns in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Thaw while wrapped, then warm at 150°C conventional for 5–8 minutes if desired.; Contains: wheat, gluten, egg, milk.; This Nepedia version has not been kitchen-tested.

Ingredient choices & substitutions

No brand is specified.

Match the ingredient’s function and weight. See the flour, gluten, yeast and salt guide.

Other approaches to this recipe
Cook / recipeUseWhat differs

The working ingredients and method form one recipe. Different formulas are compared without averaging their quantities or rise schedules.

Nepedia

Recipe

Brioche

Twelve buttery breakfast rolls with a fine, tender crumb. Make the dough the evening before so it is firm enough to shape the next morning.

How do I make it?

  1. Mix and develop the dough

    10–13 min

    Put the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk and three dough eggs in a stand-mixer bowl. Fit the dough hook, mix on low until combined, then knead at the manufacturer’s recommended dough speed for 8–10 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.

    Baker beside a stopped stand mixer holding elastic dough on its hook, with six butter pieces on a plate.
    Develop the dough before adding the butter.

    Ready when: The dough is cohesive and stretches before tearing; it may still cling to the bottom of the bowl.

  2. Work in the butter

    12–18 min

    With the mixer running slowly, add the butter a piece at a time, waiting until each piece disappears before adding the next. Keep mixing, allowing 12–18 minutes in total for adding the butter and finishing the dough. Scrape the bowl once or twice. If the dough becomes greasy or the bowl feels warm, stop and chill the covered bowl for 15 minutes before continuing.

    Baker gently stretches a glossy thin sheet of brioche dough above the mixer bowl.
    Mix until the butter is absorbed and the dough stretches thinly.

    Ready when: The butter is fully absorbed. The dough looks smooth and glossy and can stretch into a thin patch without immediately breaking.

  3. Let the dough begin to rise

    60 min

    Scrape the dough into a covered bowl with room for expansion. Leave at about 22–24°C for 1 hour.

    Hands lower a clear cover over a glass bowl containing a glossy dome of brioche dough.
    Cover the dough for its first rise.

    Ready when: The dough begins to swell and feels lighter; it does not need to double before chilling.

  4. Chill overnight

    480–720 min

    Press the dough down gently, cover the bowl well and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. Allow space under the cover for the dough to expand.

    Baker places the covered glass bowl of brioche dough on a refrigerator shelf.
    Refrigerate the covered dough with room to expand.

    Ready when: The dough is cold and firm enough to lift and divide without smearing.

  5. Shape the rolls

    12–15 min

    Grease all twelve wells of a standard muffin tin with the tin butter. Divide the cold dough into twelve equal pieces, about 70 g each. Fold each piece’s edges into its centre, turn it over and cup it against the clean work surface to make a smooth ball. Put each ball seam-side down in a well.

    Eleven round dough balls fill a three-by-four muffin tin as the baker places the twelfth in the empty corner well.
    Shape twelve equal balls and place them in the greased muffin tin.

    Ready when: The balls are evenly sized with closed seams. Work while the dough is cold; chill it briefly if it softens.

  6. Proof the rolls and heat the oven

    150–240 min

    Cover the tin loosely and let the buns rise at about 24–26°C for 2½–4 hours. Keep them away from direct heat. During the final 20 minutes, heat a conventional oven to 190°C with a rack in the middle.

    Baker lifts a loose transparent cover above twelve risen pale brioche domes in the muffin tin.
    Let the buns rise until noticeably larger and soft.

    Ready when: The buns are noticeably larger, soft and gently wobbly. A light fingertip dent returns slowly; tight, firm dough needs more time.

  7. Glaze and bake

    18–22 min

    Brush the tops lightly with the beaten glaze egg without letting it pool around the edges; discard unused wash. Bake at 190°C conventional for 18–22 minutes, checking from 18 minutes. If the tops darken before the centres are baked, cover loosely with foil.

    Baker wearing oven mitts lowers a tin of twelve golden round brioches onto a trivet.
    Bake the lightly glazed buns until deep golden and set.

    Ready when: The tops are deep golden and the sides feel set. A probe inserted into the centre of a middle bun should read at least 88°C.

  8. Cool the brioches

    60 min

    Leave the buns in the tin for 5 minutes, then lift them onto a wire rack. Let them cool for about 1 hour before storing.

    Baker sets the last of twelve golden brioches on a wire rack beside the empty muffin tin.
    Lift the buns onto a wire rack to cool.

    Ready when: The sides hold their shape and the centres no longer release visible steam when opened.

What can go wrong, and how can I fix it?

What you noticeLikely causeWhat to do
Butter smears around the bowl instead of mixing in.The butter was too soft, added too quickly, or the dough became warm.Stop mixing and chill the covered bowl for 15 minutes, then resume slowly. Use cool, pliable butter and add it in small portions after developing dough strength.
The shaped buns stay small and firm.The chilled dough is still cold, the room is cool, or the yeast is weak.Allow more time in a mild 24–26°C place and watch for swelling and softness. Use yeast within date and allow several hours for final proof; do not use a hot oven to hurry the buns.
The outside is dark but the centre is doughy.The buns browned before enough heat reached the centres.Cover loosely with foil and continue baking until the centres set and reach at least 88°C. Use equal portions, preheat accurately and check a middle bun rather than relying on colour alone.
Useful recipe notes

Storage: Once completely cool, keep airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze the cooled buns in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Thaw while wrapped, then warm at 150°C conventional for 5–8 minutes if desired.

Contains: wheat, gluten, egg, milk.

This Nepedia version has not been kitchen-tested.

See the detailed method and ratios in , or follow ingredients through the .

Ingredient proportions & recipe details

Brioche at a glance

Makes
12 individual brioches
Heat
190°C conventional
Baking time
18–22 min
Cuisine / style
France
Leavening
Yeast
How do the ingredient proportions compare?

Percentages compare each listed weight with the combined flour weight (100%). These are ingredient ratios, not dough hydration; milk, eggs and fillings contain other ingredients as well as water.

Formula componentGramsFlour = 100%
Strong white bread flour375 g100%
Caster sugar40 g10.7%
Instant dried yeast5 g1.3%
Fine salt7 g1.9%
Unsalted butter185 g49.3%