Fluffy Pull-Apart Milk Brioche

This Fluffy Pull-Apart Milk Brioche recipe produces the most fluffy brioche bread in the world through a combination of butter, milk, sugar, flour, and yeast. While many bread recipes only contain flour, yeast, and salt, this one is richer due to the addition of fat and sugar. This brioche is delicious served for breakfast with jam or chocolate hazelnut spread, or alongside dinner smeared with some butter.

To make the enriched dough for this brioche recipe, you mix the milk with the melted butter, sugar, yeast, and an egg in a large bowl, and then knead it with the flour into a supple dough before setting it aside to rise for 2 hours. Then, to make the bread, you shape the dough into 12 flat disks before arranging them in a baking pan and allowing them to rise until doubled in size. Once the bread is baked in the oven, it is brushed with some condensed milk before serving. The disks of bread are easy to pull apart at the table.

What is Fluffy Pull-Apart Milk Brioche?

Brioche is a type of bread from French cuisine that includes butter and eggs to make it fluffier than other types of bread. The flavor is buttery and slightly sweet, and the crumb is light and fluffy.

Brioche often has sweet elements like chocolate chips or dried fruit added into the dough. Sometimes, it will be filled with pastry cream for the purpose of having it as a dessert as well. It can also be taken in a savory direction with fillings such as sausage, foie gras, and more.

Since this fluffy brioche recipe is a plain version of brioche, it is best served for breakfast or alongside a saucy meal such as a soup or stew. However, it could easily be adapted to include chocolate chips or dried fruit if you would like a brioche that is on the sweeter side.

Pro Tips

• Weigh the ingredients rather than measuring it with measuring cups and spoons for the most accuracy.
• You will know you have kneaded the dough enough when it seems smooth and doesn’t tear when you stretch out a piece very thinly, almost to the point you can see through it.
• If you use dry active yeast, make sure you allow it to dissolve in the liquid mixture for at least 5 minutes before you add the flour. On the other hand, instant yeast doesn’t need to be dissolved prior to using it.
• For some variation, feel free to knead some chopped chocolate, chocolate chips, or chopped dried fruit into the dough.
• Use a measuring tape to ensure you cut the pastry squares into even-sized squares.
• You will know the brioche is baked when it has risen and is golden brown. You can also test its doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer in it; when bread is finished baking, it should read 190 C (88 F) to 210 C (99 F).
• If you don't have condensed milk on hand, you can brush the bread with any other milk that you have in your fridge.

What to Serve with Fluffy Brioche?

This fluffy brioche is wonderful served for breakfast with any of your favorite breakfast spreads. Chocolate lovers will enjoy chocolate hazelnut spread, whereas those who enjoy fruit flavors will enjoy having the bread with strawberry jam, raspberry jam, or apricot jam. Meanwhile, you can also serve this bread with any savory dish you would typically serve bread with such as chili, beef stew, chicken noodle soup, roast beef dinner with gravy, and more.

Can You Knead Brioche Dough in a Stand Mixer?

Yes, you can! If you prefer not to knead your brioche dough by hand, you could use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.

Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter in This Brioche?

While you certainly could, it isn’t recommended as it wouldn’t impart the same rich flavor that butter does. Butter is important to making brioche as it aids in the fluffy texture of the bread as well as the flavor.

Can I Bake This Brioche as a Loaf?

Yes, you definitely could if you would prefer a loaf rather than a round bread. Rather than dividing the dough into disks, simply shape it into a loaf shape, place it in a loaf pan, and allow it to rise until doubled in size before baking it.

More Fluffy Brioches To Try!

Soft Brioche Loaf

Fluffy Cloud Brioche

Creamy Brioches

Milk Brioche Bread

Bicolor Mini Brioches

Brioche Bread Rolls

Braided Brioche Bread

How to Store Fluffy Brioche

This fluffy brioche is best eaten the day it is made but it should stay reasonably fresh if it is stored in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. However, it can also be stored in a sealed bag in the freezer for up to 6 months for longer storage.

How to Make Fluffy Brioche

In a bowl, mix the milk with the butter, sugar, egg, and yeast until combined.

Stir the flour into the dough and knead until it is smooth. Place it in the bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Transfer the dough to a clean surface and cut it into 12 equal-sized pieces.

Flatten each piece of dough into a disk and arrange them in a round baking pan, overlapping them slightly and leaving a space in the middle so they form a ring. Cover and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour.

Bake in a 180°C (360°F) oven until puffed and golden, about 45 minutes.

Remove the bread to a serving plate and  brush with condensed milk.

Serve immediately or allow to cool to room temperature before serving.