Description

These Delicious Winter Coffee Brioche Buns are the perfect cozy morning treat. Made with a blend of plain and strong white bread flour, enriched with eggs, butter, and coffee custard, and topped with a lightly spiced crumb and grated chocolate, these buns offer a delightful combination of rich, tender dough and deep coffee flavors with a sweet, spiced crunch. Ideal for chilly mornings, they bring warmth and indulgence with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

500 g Plain (all-purpose) flour (Can use whole wheat for a denser bun)
250 g Strong white bread flour (Essential for proper rise)
100 g Caster (superfine) sugar (Granulated sugar can be used)
10 g Fine sea salt (Avoid table salt as it can affect texture)
7 g Fast-action dried yeast (Adjust fresh yeast amount accordingly)
300 ml Whole milk (Non-dairy milk can be used)
2 large Eggs (Aquafaba can be used as a vegan substitute)
100 g Unsalted butter (Can substitute with plant-based butter)

Filling and Topping

200 ml Coffee custard (Customize with your favorite coffee blend)
100 g Lightly spiced crumb topping (Substitute with a nut-based crumb)
50 g Grated chocolate (Use dark or milk chocolate)
Egg wash (from one egg, beaten for brushing edges)

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Instructions

Making the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, blend the plain flour, strong white bread flour, caster sugar, fine sea salt, and fast-action dried yeast until combined.
Incorporating Wet Ingredients: Warm the whole milk to a lukewarm temperature and add it along with the eggs and room temperature unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir to form a cohesive dough.
Kneading the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and well-developed.
Shaping and Proofing: Divide the dough into individual portions and shape into buns. Press shallow wells into the center of each bun. Place the shaped buns on a baking tray and allow them to proof in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Preparing for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the edges of each bun with egg wash to encourage browning. Fill the shallow wells with coffee custard, then generously sprinkle the lightly spiced crumb topping around each custard-filled well.
Baking the Buns: Bake the prepared buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
Finishing Touch: Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool slightly. Before serving, grate chocolate over the tops of each bun to add richness and a hint of sweetness.

Notes

Whole wheat flour can be used instead of plain flour for a denser, more rustic bun.
Non-dairy milk and plant-based butter can be used to make the recipe vegan-friendly, and aquafaba can replace eggs.
Ensure the milk is warmed but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
Proof the dough in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
The lightly spiced crumb topping can be substituted with a nut-based crumb for added texture and flavor.
Use your favorite coffee blend to customize the flavor of the coffee custard filling.
Egg wash helps create a glossy, golden crust on the buns.
Grated chocolate can be dark or milk, based on preference.