Homemade Brioche Bread Recipe

Add the milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk just until combined.

Let it sit for 5-7 minutes or until it forms a raft.

Pour in 8 ounces of the flour and mix on low speed with the hook attachment until combined to create a sponge.

Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and proof in the oven with only the oven light on and the door cracked and proof for 60 minutes or until more than doubled in size.

Remove the bowl and plastic wrap and place back onto the stand mixer with the hook attachment and add in 1 egg at a time over low speed until slightly mixed in and the eggs are completely whisked.

Next, stop the mixer and add in the remaining 2 pounds of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar and salt and mix on low to medium speed until completely combined and smooth.

Slowly add in the softened unsalted butter until it is completely mixed in, about 5-7 minutes.

Place in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to harden up the butter.

Remove and place the dough onto a clean floured surface and divide the dough into thirds.

To make loaves of bread, take one of the pieces of dough spread it out to form a rectangle, about 14 x 8 inches, and roll the dough over to form a taught loaf.

Next, place it in a buttered loaf pan and place a towel over top back in the oven with the light on and the door cracked and proof for a further 45 minutes.

Remove it from the oven and brush the dough with an egg wash of milk and egg and bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until it reaches 190°F internally.

To make individual Sicilian style buns: take about a ½ cup-sized amount and roll it up until it’s about the size of a tennis ball and then place it onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper.

Be sure to save a little of the dough at the end because we are going to make a smaller dough ball to go right on top of the bigger one. It will literally look like a snowman without the middle ball, to put it as simply as possible.

Brush these brioche buns up with some egg wash, sprinkle on a tad bit more sugar and bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.