Soft and Fluffy Brioche Buns Made with Fresh Milled Flour

These soft and fluffy brioche buns are made using the tangzhong method. They are soft and fluffy and take any burger to the next level. It’s hard to believe they are made with fresh milled flour.

I’ve been milling my own flour for almost 3 years now and until now have been using my Basic Bread Recipe and shaping that into buns when I need them. They taste good, but they still aren’t quite the texture we were looking for in a hamburger bun. Most of the time the burger and toppings just kind of slide off the bun, but these soft and fluffy brioche buns wrap around and hang on to all of that goodness!

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I kept hunting and researching different methods and finally landed on the tangzhong method for these brioche buns. I actually didn’t try to make it for a while because the extra step seemed too inconvenient…..but it’s SO simple.

What You’ll Need To Make These Soft and Fluffy Brioche Buns

Flour– I used fresh milled hard white wheat for this recipe.

Milk

Active Dry Yeast

Salt

Sugar

Eggs

Butter

What Is The Tangzhong Method?

The tangzhong method is an Asian technique that is known to create soft, squishy bread. This method of pre-cooking a small amount of flour, milk, and water pre-gelatinizes the starches in the flour, resulting in more moisture in the dough.

This is great! It gives the fluffy, soft texture that we’re used to in store-bought bread. Pictures just don’t do them justice so you’ll just have to try for yourself and see what it’s all about. If you want to read more about the tangzhong method, check out this article by King Arthur.

Pictured above is the process of the tangzhong method in action. It changes fairly quickly in about 2-3 minutes.

How To Make Your Soft and Fluffy Brioche Bun Dough

You’re going to start by making your tangzhong mixture by putting the flour, milk, and water in a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat so that no lumps are left. Keep mixing until thickened. This should take 2-3 minutes. You will go from liquid to a thick roux that will remind you of thick pudding. (see pictures above)

Then in your mixer bowl add the tangzhong mixture while it’s warm and the cold milk. This will even out the temperature before you add the yeast. Then add yeast and sugar in.

Next you’re going to add the rest of the flour, egg, egg yolk, butter, and salt.

Knead the mixture for 8-10 minutes until the mixture is smooth and passes a windowpane test. If you don’t know what a windowpane test is watch here.

Form the dough into a ball, put it in a greased bowl, cover and rise for about an hour or until doubled in size. This will vary by the temperature in your home.

Once it’s doubled in size, oil your hands and punch the dough down. Separate into 8-9 equal pieces. I weigh mine out to 90-95 grams each and end up with 9 buns. Shape each piece like a ball as if you were making dinner rolls and then smoosh them down like pictured below.

Next, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let the buns rise until doubled and puffy.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Before putting your buns in the oven do an egg wash made with 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water.

Bake for 14-16 minutes until they are a nice, deep golden brown. (time may vary with different ovens)

Remove from oven and brush with softened/melted butter and let cool on cooling rack.

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Topping Ideas For Brioche Buns

**If adding toppings, make sure to add after you apply egg wash.

• Sesame seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Flaky Sea Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Flax Seeds

How To Store Brioche Buns

If you have any left to put away then put them in an airtight container or ziploc bag. They should last 3-4 days. Just don’t put them in the fridge or it will dry them out and make them stale. You can also read this article on more about bread storage.

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Komo Mio Mill

Bosch Universal Plus Mixer

Digital Kitchen Scale

My top 2 places to order wheat berries are Azure Standard or Country Life Natural Foods. If it’s your 1st order through Country Life use code: freshmilledmama for 10% off!

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If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you! Tag me on Instagram @freshmilledmama

For More Recipes Made with Fresh Milled Flour Try:

Banana Bread Made With Fresh Milled Flour

Soft Breadsticks With Fresh Milled Flour (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)

Sourdough Cheddar Biscuits with Fresh Milled Flour