Winter Coffee Brioche Buns Recipe

Introduction

Winter Coffee Brioche Buns combine the soft, buttery richness of brioche with the comforting warmth of coffee custard and a lightly spiced crumb topping. These elegant buns make a perfect treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or as a cozy dessert during chilly days.

Ingredients

• 150g plain (all-purpose) flour
• 350g strong white bread flour
• 100g caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 10g fast-action dried yeast
• 250ml whole milk
• 3 large eggs (plus 1 extra for egg wash)
• 150g unsalted butter, room temperature
• Coffee custard made with your preferred coffee blend (approx. 300ml)
• Lightly spiced crumb topping (streusel-style, about 80g)
• Grated chocolate for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Warm the milk slightly and add it along with 3 eggs and the softened butter to the dry ingredients.
2. Step 2: Knead the mixture until you get a smooth, elastic dough. This may take about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer.
3. Step 3: Shape the dough into individual tart-like buns, pressing shallow wells into the center of each to hold the custard later.
4. Step 4: Place the buns on a baking sheet and allow them to proof in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the edges of each bun with the extra beaten egg to create a glossy finish.
6. Step 6: Spoon or pipe the coffee custard carefully into the wells of each bun, filling just to the edge.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the lightly spiced crumb topping evenly around the custard center on each bun.
8. Step 8: Bake the buns for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. The custard will gently rise during baking then settle as the buns cool.
9. Step 9: Once cooled, grate chocolate neatly over the custard using a cookie cutter as a guide to keep the topping tidy.
10. Step 10: Serve fresh the same day for the best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use strong bread flour for the best brioche texture, but you can substitute with all-purpose flour if needed, though the crumb will be softer.
• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumb topping to enhance the winter spices.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and butter with plant-based alternatives and adjust the custard accordingly.
• If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, add an espresso shot to the custard mix before filling the buns.

Storage

These buns are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked. You can loosely cover them and keep at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven before serving to restore softness. Avoid freezing as the custard may separate upon thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it proof slowly in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and continuing with the recipe.

What type of coffee works best in the custard?

A medium to dark roast coffee with rich, chocolaty notes complements the brioche and crumb well. Use your favorite blend, whether espresso or brewed coffee, for the custard base.

Winter Coffee Brioche Buns Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 90 reviews

These Winter Coffee Brioche Buns are a delightful blend of rich, buttery brioche dough filled with smooth coffee custard, topped with a lightly spiced crumb and grated chocolate. Perfect for a cozy winter treat, these buns offer a combination of soft texture, sweet spiced crunch, and a gentle coffee kick, ideal for breakfast or an indulgent snack.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 10 buns 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European, French-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 200g plain (all-purpose) flour
• 300g strong white bread flour
• 75g caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 7g fast-action dried yeast (1 packet)
• 250ml whole milk, warm
• 3 large eggs (plus 1 extra for egg wash)
• 125g unsalted butter, room temperature

Coffee Custard Filling

• 200ml milk
• 2 tbsp coffee blend (strong brewed coffee or espresso)
• 3 egg yolks
• 50g caster sugar
• 15g cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Spiced Crumb Topping

• 50g plain flour
• 50g caster sugar
• 40g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Topping

• 50g grated chocolate (dark or milk chocolate as preferred)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Brioche Dough: In a large bowl, combine the plain and bread flours, caster sugar, fine sea salt, and fast-action dried yeast. Warm the whole milk to about 37°C (warm to the touch but not hot) and add it along with the eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, then add the softened unsalted butter. Knead the dough on a floured surface or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
2. Shape and Proof: Divide the dough into equal portions and shape them into tart-like buns by pressing shallow wells into the centers of each ball. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and allow them to proof in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until nearly doubled in size.
3. Prepare the Coffee Custard: While the dough is proofing, make the coffee custard. Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl. Heat milk with coffee blend until just simmering. Slowly pour the hot coffee milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let it cool to room temperature before filling the buns.
4. Make the Spiced Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix flour, caster sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it forms coarse crumbs. Keep this topping chilled until ready to use.
5. Fill and Assemble: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Once the buns have proofed, brush the edges gently with beaten egg wash. Spoon or pipe the cooled coffee custard into each well carefully, filling the center but leaving the edges clear. Sprinkle the spiced crumb topping generously around the custard-filled centers.
6. Bake the Buns: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and the custard has risen gently but is set. Avoid overbaking to keep the custard smooth.
7. Add Final Touches: Remove the buns from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, grate chocolate evenly over the custard centers. Using a round cookie cutter as a guide can help keep the grated chocolate confined to the custard circle for a neat presentation.
8. Serve and Store: Serve the buns fresh on the day of baking for the best texture and flavor. If needed, loosely cover and keep them at room temperature for up to 1 day. Avoid refrigeration to maintain softness.

Notes

• The coffee custard can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to two days; bring to room temperature before filling the dough.
• For a stronger coffee flavor, use a dark roast espresso or increase the coffee amount slightly in the custard.
• Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness; adjust salt in the dough accordingly if using salted butter.
• Ensure the milk is not too hot when mixing with yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
• The spiced crumb topping adds texture and warmth, but can be omitted for a simpler bun.
• For vegan alternatives, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use a vegan egg replacer and non-dairy milk.

Keywords: brioche buns, coffee custard, winter pastry, spiced crumb topping, chocolate grated topping, breakfast buns, indulgent snack