Indulgent Chocolate Chip Custard Brioches

Imagine biting into a pillowy-soft pastry bursting with creamy vanilla custard and studded with melty chocolate chips—because that’s exactly what you’ll get with these Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches! Light, buttery brioche dough wraps around the dreamiest homemade pastry cream and a shower of chocolate, delivering a treat that’s pure comfort and luxury all in one bite. Whether you’re hosting brunch or treating yourself to a special breakfast, these brioches make baking from scratch an absolute joy. If you’re looking for the ultimate Ingredients list for bakery-worthy pastries at home, you’ve found it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these brioches is all about the Ingredients—each one brings something unique to the table, from rich flavor to perfect texture. Don’t be intimidated: everything on this list is beautifully simple, yet the combination creates a showstopper pastry.

• All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of the brioche, giving the pastry its soft but structured crumb.
• Sugar: Adds gentle sweetness to both the dough and the custard for that classic French-pastry taste.
• Salt: A pinch sharpens all the flavors and balances out the sweetness—don’t skip it!
• Fresh yeast: This brings the brioche to life, making it rise sky-high and turn extra fluffy.
• Eggs: Eggs enrich the dough, making it tender and golden, and also thicken the custard for a creamy filling.
• Unsalted butter: Adds lusciousness and helps create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture in the brioche.
• Whole milk: Full-fat milk gives the custard its smooth, silky texture and rich taste.
• Vanilla pod: Fresh vanilla seeds infuse the custard for extra-special flavor—nothing beats the real deal.
• Cornstarch and flour (for the custard): These thicken the custard without making it heavy, keeping every bite light and creamy.
• Mini chocolate chips: Dotting the brioches with mini chips ensures chocolate in every bite and even melting.
• Sugar syrup (sugar and water): Brushed on after baking, it gives your brioches that irresistible glossy finish.
• Egg wash (egg + yolk): Brushing the tops helps them turn deeply golden in the oven—almost too pretty to eat.

How to Make Ingredients

Step 1: Prepare the Brioche Dough

Start by adding the flour, sugar, salt, and crumbled fresh yeast into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Give them a quick mix to combine. Pour in the beaten eggs and let the mixer run at medium speed for 2-3 minutes—this is where the dough starts to come together and become thick and smooth. Then, little by little, add the softened butter. Keep kneading until your dough looks dense, glossy, and just a tad sticky—sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes, but patience makes perfect!

Step 2: First Rise

Once your dough looks beautifully smooth, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Set it somewhere warm, and let it rise for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. Watching it puff up is such a satisfying part of working with these Ingredients!

Step 3: Prepare the Vanilla Custard

In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk and a teaspoon of butter. Split the vanilla pod, scrape out the seeds, and add both pod and seeds to the saucepan for a hit of real vanilla flavor. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and flour in a separate bowl until smooth. When the milk is just bubbling, slowly pour it onto your egg mixture while whisking constantly. Return everything to the saucepan and cook, whisking all the time, until the custard thickens. Transfer to a bowl, press plastic wrap right onto the surface, and chill until ready to use.

Step 4: Shape the Brioches

Roll out your risen dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the chilled custard over half of the dough, then sprinkle a generous layer of mini chocolate chips on top. Fold the dough over the filling and gently pat down. Cut into 8 equal rectangles—each one ready to transform into a golden, chocolate-studded delight! Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rise again for 2 hours until puffed and pillowy.

Step 5: Brush and Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Beat an egg with an extra yolk for your egg wash and brush it over each brioche for a deep golden color. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the brioches are eye-catchingly gold and fragrant. While they bake, boil together sugar and water to make a simple sugar syrup. As soon as the brioches come out, give them a generous brushing for a gorgeous, bakery-style shine.

How to Serve Ingredients

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar is always lovely on these brioches, playing up the classic French look. You can also add a few extra chocolate chips to the tops right after they come out of the oven—the residual heat will gently melt them, making for an extra-decadent finish to your Ingredients!

Side Dishes

Serve these brioches alongside a steaming cappuccino, your morning coffee, or a pot of strong black tea for the ultimate café-style breakfast. Fresh berries or a sliced fruit platter also balance the richness of the custard and offer a pop of color to your Ingredients lineup.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the brioches in a basket lined with a pretty napkin for a special brunch spread, or cut them in half and sandwich them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a show-stopping dessert. You can even slice them horizontally and use them as a base for a fancy twist on bread pudding—your Ingredients can do it all!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover brioches cool completely before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for a couple of days at room temperature, thanks to that rich dough and creamy filling—perfect for snacking whenever the craving hits.

Freezing

If you want to keep your brioches even longer, pop them in the freezer! Wrap each one well and store in a freezer-safe bag or box. They’ll be at their best within one month. For the ultimate make-ahead treat, you can even freeze the shaped, unbaked brioches and bake them straight from the freezer—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven taste, reheat your brioches in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes (no microwave, please—it can make them soggy). The chocolate will become wonderfully melty again, and the custard warms up without losing its luscious texture.

FAQs

Can I make the brioche dough by hand instead of with a stand mixer?

Absolutely! It will take a bit more elbow grease and patience to knead in the butter by hand, but it’s totally doable—and worth it for those who love the hands-on baking experience. Just be sure to knead until the dough is truly smooth and stretchy.

What if I can’t find fresh yeast? Can I use active dry or instant yeast instead?

Yes, you can substitute 1 packet (about 7g) of active dry or instant yeast. Activate active dry yeast in a bit of warm milk and sugar first, while instant yeast can go straight into the flour—it’s a flexible swap that keeps the Ingredients list friendly to your pantry!

Can I use store-bought custard instead of making it from scratch?

Homemade custard is truly special here, but if you’re short on time, a thick store-bought pastry cream can work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s not too runny so your brioches hold their shape and the Ingredients still shine.

Are there alternatives to mini chocolate chips?

If you don’t have mini chocolate chips, finely chopped dark chocolate or even milk chocolate chunks work beautifully. The key is to keep the pieces small so you get chocolate in every bite and the Ingredients meld just right.

Can I make the brioches ahead for brunch parties?

Yes! You can prepare the brioches up to the final shaping step, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising before baking as usual. Having the Ingredients prepped means more time to enjoy with your guests.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to bring a taste of a Parisian bakery into your own kitchen, these Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches are the perfect recipe to try. Working with these thoughtfully chosen Ingredients and a little bit of patience, you’ll bake pastries that wow family, friends, and most importantly, you! Happy baking and bon appétit!

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