Introduction
These homemade Glazed Custard Filled Brioche Buns are soft, buttery, and filled with rich vanilla pastry cream for the ultimate bakery-style dessert. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, this easy brioche recipe delivers fluffy texture, creamy filling, and a glossy vanilla glaze that tastes just like gourmet French pastries. If you love homemade sweet buns, custard doughnuts, or luxurious baked treats, this recipe is a must-try.
Ingredients
For the Brioche Dough:
4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup warm whole milk
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened and cubed
For the Custard Filling:
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Custard
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer lightly.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and creamy.
Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
Cover with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent a skin from forming, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
2. Make the Brioche Dough
In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, salt, eggs, and the yeast mixture.
Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.
Gradually add the softened butter one cube at a time while mixing.
Continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth, shiny, and elastic.
3. First Rise
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1½ to 2 hours or until doubled in size.
4. Shape and Bake
Punch down the dough gently to release excess air.
Divide into 12 equal pieces and shape into smooth balls.
Place them in a greased baking dish or lined baking tray.
Cover and allow to rise again for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until beautifully golden brown.
Allow buns to cool slightly before filling.
5. Fill and Glaze
Use a small knife or piping nozzle to create a hole in each bun.
Pipe the chilled vanilla custard into the center of each brioche bun.
Whisk together powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze generously over the buns before serving.
How to Make Perfect Brioche Buns
For the best bakery-style texture, knead the dough thoroughly until it passes the “windowpane test,” meaning the dough stretches thin without tearing. Brioche dough is naturally rich and sticky because of the high butter and egg content, so using a stand mixer makes the process much easier.
Using softened butter instead of melted butter is essential for achieving that signature fluffy and layered texture found in classic French brioche recipes.
When preparing the custard, whisk continuously while cooking to avoid lumps and create a silky smooth pastry cream filling.
Variations
Chocolate Custard Buns
Replace vanilla pastry cream with rich chocolate ganache or chocolate custard for a decadent dessert version.
Berry Filled Brioche
Add raspberry jam or strawberry preserves together with the custard for a fruity flavor combination.
Cinnamon Sugar Brioche
Skip the glaze and coat the warm buns in cinnamon sugar for a delicious doughnut-inspired treat.
Citrus Brioche
Mix fresh orange zest or lemon zest into the dough for a bright and refreshing flavor twist.
Tips
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Room-temperature eggs, butter, and milk blend more smoothly into the dough and improve texture.
Allow Enough Rising Time
Brioche dough is enriched with butter, so it requires longer rising times for the perfect light and airy crumb.
Chill the Custard Completely
Cold pastry cream is easier to pipe and prevents the buns from becoming soggy.
Serve Fresh
These buns taste best the same day they are made, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
Calories: 340 kcal
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 115mg
Sodium: 140mg
Carbohydrates: 46g
Sugars: 22g
Protein: 7g
Healthy Benefits
Homemade brioche buns allow you to avoid many artificial preservatives and processed ingredients commonly found in store-bought pastries.
Fresh eggs provide protein and essential nutrients, while real butter offers natural fats that contribute to flavor and texture.
You can also reduce the sugar slightly or substitute part of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutritional value.
Because these buns are homemade, you have full control over ingredient quality, sweetness level, and portion size.
Conclusion
These soft and fluffy Glazed Custard Filled Brioche Buns combine rich buttery bread with silky vanilla pastry cream for a truly irresistible homemade dessert. Whether served for brunch, holidays, or afternoon coffee, these bakery-style sweet buns are guaranteed to impress family and guests alike. Once you master this classic brioche recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again.