Brioche with custard

Here is the recipe for delicious Italian-style custard brioche.

Ingredients

For the brioche dough:

• 500 g of type 00 flour
• 150 ml of lukewarm milk
• 100 g of sugar
• 100 g of soft butter
• 2 eggs (plus 1 yolk for brushing)
• 20 g of fresh brewer’s yeast
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 1 lemon

For the custard:

• 500 ml of milk
• 4 yolks
• 100 g of sugar
• 40 g of type 00 flour (or cornstarch for a gluten-free version)
• 1 vanilla pod or lemon zest

Preparation

1. Dissolve the brewer’s yeast in the lukewarm milk with a teaspoon of sugar.
2. In a bowl, create a well with the flour and add the milk with the yeast in the center, starting to knead.
3. Add the eggs, sugar, soft butter, lemon zest, and salt, kneading until you get a smooth and elastic dough.
4. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
5. In the meantime, prepare the custard: bring the milk with the vanilla to a boil. In a bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until you get a light and frothy mixture, then incorporate the flour.
6. Slowly pour the hot milk over the yolk mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Put everything back on the heat and cook on a low flame, continuing to stir until the cream thickens.
7. Let the cream cool, then put it in the refrigerator covered with cling film in contact.
8. Take the risen dough and divide it into balls of about 50 g each. Flatten them slightly, place a spoonful of custard in the center, and close the brioche well.
9. Arrange the brioche on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, keeping them apart. Let them rise again for 30 minutes.
10. Brush the brioche with a beaten egg yolk and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes or until golden.
11. Take the brioche out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Curiosity

Brioche with custard is a classic of Italian pastry, perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. Their softness and the creaminess of the filling create a delightful combination that pleases the palate of both adults and children.

I remind you that to obtain a perfect custard, it is important to stir constantly during cooking to avoid the formation of lumps. If you desire an extra touch, you can enrich the cream with orange zest or powdered cinnamon for a more spiced flavor. Bon appétit!