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
01 · Mix and develop the dough
10–13 minUse: 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.

01 Brioche — step 1Develop the dough before adding the butter. 02 · Work in the butter
12–18 minUse: 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.

02 Brioche — step 2Mix until the butter is absorbed and the dough stretches thinly. 03 · Let the dough begin to rise
60 minUse:
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.

03 Brioche — step 3Cover the dough for its first rise. 04 · Chill overnight
480–720 minUse:
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.

04 Brioche — step 4Refrigerate the covered dough with room to expand. 05 · Shape the rolls
12–15 minUse: 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.

05 Brioche — step 5Shape twelve equal balls and place them in the greased muffin tin. 06 · Proof the rolls and heat the oven
150–240 minUse:
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.

06 Brioche — step 6Let the buns rise until noticeably larger and soft. 07 · Glaze and bake
18–22 minUse: 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.

07 Brioche — step 7Bake the lightly glazed buns until deep golden and set. 08 · Cool the brioches
60 minUse:
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.

08 Brioche — step 8Lift the buns onto a wire rack to cool.
What to look for
| Stage | Look / feel for | Needs attention |
|---|---|---|
| Mix and develop the dough | The dough is cohesive and stretches before tearing; it may still cling to the bottom of the bowl. | |
| Work in the butter | The 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 rise | The dough begins to swell and feels lighter; it does not need to double before chilling. | |
| Chill overnight | The dough is cold and firm enough to lift and divide without smearing. | |
| Shape the rolls | The 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 oven | The buns are noticeably larger, soft and gently wobbly. A light fingertip dent returns slowly; tight, firm dough needs more time. | |
| Glaze and bake | 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. | |
| Cool the brioches | The sides hold their shape and the centres no longer release visible steam when opened. |
Troubleshooting
| If you see this | Likely cause | What to do now | Next 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.
Other approaches to this recipe
| Cook / recipe | Use | What differs |
|---|
The working ingredients and method form one recipe. Different formulas are compared without averaging their quantities or rise schedules.
