These Almond Cream Brioche Buns combine the light, buttery texture of brioche dough with a rich almond cream filling, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Each bun is brushed with a simple syrup and dusted with powdered sugar, offering a subtle sweetness that enhances the nutty filling. Finished with a sprinkle of sliced almonds, these buns are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Why You’ll Love This: The soft and airy brioche provides an excellent canvas for the creamy, fragrant almond filling. The addition of the simple syrup gives each bun a delightful sheen and an extra touch of sweetness that’s not overwhelming. These buns are a wonderful treat for anyone who appreciates fine pastries that are both satisfying and elegant.
Perfect Occasion: These buns are perfect for special breakfasts, brunches, or as an afternoon snack with tea or coffee. They make a lovely addition to holiday tables or special occasions like Mother’s Day or Easter. Their sophisticated appearance and delightful flavor profile also make them suitable for entertaining guests or as a weekend baking project to share with family and friends.
Decoration Tips: To present these buns, arrange them on a serving platter and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Garnishing with additional sliced almonds adds texture and visual appeal. For a festive touch, edible flowers or a drizzle of almond glaze can also be added just before serving.
Ingredients:
- For the Brioche Dough:
- ¾ cup (175g) whole milk
- 3 tablespoons (40g) unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 teaspoons (9g) instant yeast
- 3 cups (390g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (58g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- For the Almond Cream Filling:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (105g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (105g) almond meal or flour
- 1 tablespoon (9g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- For the Topping:
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
- Sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- For the Simple Syrup:
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- Prepare the Brioche Dough:
- Heat milk and butter until it reaches 90°F. Pour into a stand mixer bowl, add yeast, and stir.
- Add flour, sugar, salt, egg, and egg yolk. Mix on low until combined, then knead on medium for 5 minutes. Let the dough rise until doubled, about 1 – 1 ½ hours.
- Make the Almond Cream Filling:
- Cream butter and sugar together. Mix in almond meal, flour, eggs, and almond extract until smooth.
- Assemble the Buns:
- Roll out the dough into a 15” x 20” rectangle. Spread almond filling on the bottom two-thirds. Fold dough in thirds like a letter, roll lightly, then cut into 8 strips.
- Roll each strip into a bun and place on a prepared baking sheet. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Bake and Finish:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush buns with egg wash and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Make simple syrup by boiling sugar and water. Brush over cooled buns. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy these exquisite Almond Cream Brioche Buns, a delicious blend of soft brioche and creamy almond filling, perfect for any occasion that calls for a special treat.
