Golden Festive Brioche Buns

Impress your guests with these beautiful and delicious Holiday Brioche Rolls! They’re soft, buttery, and fluffy, making them the perfect addition to any festive spread.

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Elevate Your Holiday Table with Homemade Brioche Rolls

As the holiday season draws near, the anticipation for joyous gatherings and sumptuous meals begins to build. And what’s a truly memorable holiday feast without an exceptional bread course? Forget the ordinary store-bought options this year. Imagine a bread basket brimming with golden-brown, exquisitely soft, and buttery brioche rolls taking center stage on your festive table. These Holiday Brioche Rolls are not just a side dish; they are a statement, promising to delight every guest with their luxurious texture and rich flavor.

A Quick & Easy Recipe for Unforgettable Festive Dinner Rolls

You might be thinking, “Homemade brioche? During the busiest time of the year? No way!” And typically, you’d be right. Traditional brioche can be a labor of love, requiring extensive proofing and kneading. However, this particular recipe is designed to fit seamlessly into your hectic holiday schedule. While the total process from start to finish takes a little over two hours, the active preparation and baking time is surprisingly minimal. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create these tender, golden-brown masterpieces, ready to grace your table and complement everything from roasted turkey and glazed ham to succulent beef or your favorite vegetarian holiday dishes. The outcome? Sweet, tender, and utterly delicious easy brioche rolls that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

So, why settle for less when you can impress your loved ones with a homemade touch that truly shines? These buttery brioche buns are destined to become a beloved tradition on your holiday menu, year after year.

The Allure of Brioche: More Than Just Bread

Brioche is a classic French pastry, renowned for its rich flavor and tender crumb, attributed to its high butter and egg content. Unlike standard dinner rolls, brioche offers a delicate sweetness and an incredibly soft, almost cake-like texture that melts in your mouth. This makes it an ideal choice for the holidays, transforming a simple bread offering into an elegant culinary experience. The beautiful golden crust, often achieved with an egg wash and a sprinkle of seeds, adds a sophisticated visual appeal that perfectly suits the festive atmosphere.

Beyond its luxurious taste and texture, baking brioche for your Christmas bread provides a wonderful aroma that fills your home, instantly evoking the warmth and coziness of the season. It’s a sensory delight from start to finish, from the kneading of the dough to the first bite of a warm roll straight from the oven.

Holiday Brioche Rolls: The Recipe

Holiday Brioche Rolls

Author: Mary Ann Dwyer

Servings: 12 -14

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Impress your guests with these beautiful and delicious Holiday Brioche Rolls! They’re soft, buttery and fluffy!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 12 mins

Rising Time 30 mins

Total Time 2 hrs 2 mins

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups whole milk, warmed to 110 degrees
2 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. instant yeast
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature (one for the dough, one for egg wash)
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
Poppy seeds or sesame seeds for sprinkling on top

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
Step 2: Combine wet ingredients and yeast. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, instant yeast, melted butter, and ONE of the large eggs. Stir these ingredients together until well combined.
Step 3: Add dry ingredients and knead the dough. Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just combined and a shaggy dough forms. Switch to a dough hook attachment and knead for approximately 7 minutes on medium speed until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should still be somewhat sticky to the touch, but you should be able to stretch it without it breaking easily. If it’s excessively sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 4: Shape the rolls and proof. Divide the dough into 12 to 14 equal pieces. Gently shape each piece into a smooth ball. You can do this by cupping your hand over the dough ball on a lightly floured surface and moving it in a circular motion, allowing the dough to form a taut skin on top. Place the shaped dough balls onto your parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap and then with a clean kitchen towel. Let them rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30 minutes, or until visibly puffy.
Step 5: Egg wash and bake. While the rolls are proofing, whisk the remaining large egg with 1 teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Once the rolls have risen, gently brush the top of each roll with the egg wash. This will give them that beautiful golden sheen. Sprinkle generously with either poppy seeds or sesame seeds, as desired. Bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the rolls are deeply golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy! Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm and enjoy the soft, buttery goodness!

Nutrition

Keyword: brioche bread, holiday, rolls, festive dinner rolls, homemade brioche

Cuisine: French

Course: Side

Tips for Achieving the Best Brioche Rolls

Temperature Matters: Ensure your milk is truly warm (around 110°F or 43°C) but not too hot, as this can kill the yeast. A kitchen thermometer is your best friend here. Also, bring eggs and butter to room temperature before starting for smoother incorporation into the dough.
Don’t Be Afraid of Sticky Dough: Brioche dough is inherently softer and stickier than many other bread doughs due to its high fat content. Resist the urge to add too much extra flour during kneading. A slightly sticky dough leads to a more tender crumb. Only add flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough is unmanageably sticky.
Kneading is Key: Proper kneading develops the gluten, which gives brioche its characteristic chewiness and elasticity. Knead for the full 7 minutes with a stand mixer, or about 10-12 minutes by hand, until the dough is smooth and springs back when poked.
Proofing Environment: A warm, draft-free spot is ideal for rising. If your kitchen is cool, you can proof the dough in a slightly warmed (but turned off) oven or microwave.
Egg Wash for Shine: The egg wash isn’t just for adhering seeds; it also gives the rolls their signature golden-brown, glossy finish. Brush gently to avoid deflating the risen rolls.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens can vary. Keep an eye on the rolls during baking. They should be golden brown and puffed. If they’re browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations

These versatile homemade dinner rolls are perfect with any holiday main course, soaking up delicious gravies and sauces. But don’t limit them to just dinner! Serve them for:

Breakfast or Brunch: Warm them slightly and serve with butter, jam, honey, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a decadent start to a holiday morning.
Sliders: Their rich texture makes them ideal for mini holiday leftover turkey or ham sliders.
Dessert: Leftover rolls can be transformed into an incredible bread pudding or French toast casserole, adding a luxurious touch to any sweet dish.
Spice it Up: For an extra festive touch, consider adding a pinch of ground cardamom, nutmeg, or a hint of orange zest to the dough. You can also mix in a handful of dried cranberries for a burst of holiday flavor.

Storage and Reheating

To keep your Holiday Brioche Rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, they freeze beautifully for up to 1 month. Simply thaw them at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

To reheat, wrap the rolls loosely in foil and warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and softened. This will bring back that fresh-baked tenderness. You can also quickly warm them in a microwave for 10-20 seconds, though this might slightly alter their texture.

Share Your Holiday Baking Success!

Making these fluffy brioche rolls is a truly rewarding experience, especially during the holidays. The joy of baking something from scratch, seeing it come to life, and then sharing it with loved ones is unmatched. These rolls are more than just food; they are an expression of warmth, generosity, and holiday spirit.

We’d love to see your beautiful creations! If you make this recipe, don’t forget to snap a photo and share your festive brioche rolls on social media. Be sure to follow and tag us @thebeachhousekitchen or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen! Your holiday table will thank you.

Adapted from Portuguese Girl Cooks