Indulge in the luxury of homemade brioche buns that require no special equipment or lengthy preparations. These buns are delightfully rich and fluffy, perfect for any occasion. Here’s how to create these bakery-quality buns in your own kitchen, with just a few simple steps and ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup of warm milk (about 125 ml)
- 3 tablespoons of sugar (45g)
- 2 tablespoons of honey (25g)
- 2 teaspoons of instant yeast (6g)
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour or bread flour (375g), plus extra for dusting
- 1/3 cup of unsalted butter (75g), (modify the salt if using salted butter)
- 1 teaspoon of salt (5g)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons of milk
Baking Instructions:
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, additional egg yolk, warm milk, sugar, and honey until well combined. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes to activate.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour and salt together and gradually add it to the wet mixture. Stir until the mixture begins to come together.
- Add Butter: Work the unsalted butter into the dough, kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to make the dough too dry.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Shape the Buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each bun for expansion.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped buns with a cloth and let them rise again for about 30 minutes, or until puffy.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: Mix the egg yolk and milk together and gently brush over the surface of each bun for a glossy finish.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) for conventional ovens or adjust according to your oven type. Bake the buns in the middle rack of the oven for 22 minutes if using a convection oven, or 25 minutes in a conventional oven, or until they are golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.
Enjoy these homemade brioche buns as a luxurious addition to any meal, perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or simply enjoyed with a dab of butter and jam. With no need for overnight proofing or a machine, these buns are surprisingly easy to make, bringing a touch of homemade elegance to your table.