This Simple Yogurt Brioche recipe is a soft, and tender sweet pastry bread without all the butter. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of fresh orange juice, this brioche is the perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch!

When I think of brioche I think of how reminiscent it is of a croissant, that flakey, buttery, goodness which can be used for so many things like Bread Pudding . Originally a French pastry bread known for its high butter and egg content, we have now found ways to create this classic with ingredient variations.

With the addition of yogurt in this recipe, you’ve leveled up the already amazing brioche to a tender bread without the addition of all of the butter and eggs.

One of the reasons brioche bread is so special is because unlike your typical sandwich bread, it needs to be proofed twice. This means it will rest twice to allow the yeast to work its magic. But believe me when I say it is worth the wait!

Yes, there is some time involved but the actual process is super simple!

Bread and dessert are not typically synonymous but when you consider the amount of tender goodness and the flaky, pastry-like consistency, you will be hardpressed to not want to slather it in Nutella and call it a day.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour
Granulated Sugar
Active Dry Yeast
Plain Yogurt – Whole Fat
Egg – Medium size
Butter – Room Temperature
Vanilla
Milk – 2% and lukewarm 105F/40C temperature

How to make it

Add flour, sugar, and yeast to your stand mixer and whisk together. Make a well in the centre and add the yogurt, egg, butter, and vanilla extract. Knead using the hook attachment on low speed, slowly adding the milk.

flour and ingredients in the mixing bowl dough kneaded in the bowl

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough into a ball. Place in an oiled bowl, making sure all sides are greased, cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm area to rise.

dough before and after risen in a white bowl

Remove from the bowl and divide the dough into two parts. Form both parts into ropes and twist.

Place in a lightly floured and oiled loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area. Brush loaf with milk and bake until golden brown. Remove immediately to cool on a wire rack before serving.

the dough before and after risen and baked in a glass loaf dish

What does yogurt do to bread?

Yogurt acts as a replacement for things like butter, milk or oil. Because of its acidity, it can add a tartness to your bread but with the addition of sugar the tartness will be masked and you will be left with bread as tender and soft as you would have had without the substitution.

If you’d like you can even warm the yogurt a bit ahead of time to aid in the activity of the yeast, but be sure the yogurt is at least at room temperature, which mean remove it from the fridge about 45 minutes before using.

What is Brioche Served With?

Brioche bread can be used and served with many different ingredients and flavors. Some of my favourite ways to serve Brioche is by taking a slice of bread and making French Toast with it. It’s then up to you to go all out and add all the ingredients you want to it.

Drizzle some maple syrup or honey, sprinkle some cinnamon, icing sugar or cocoa powder on it, add Nutella, any nut butter you want, top with sliced almonds, garnish with chocolate chips, fresh fruits such as raspberries or strawberries, blueberries and bananas, you get where I’m going with this. Be as creative as you want with it.

Brioche bread can also be savory when served as a sandwich, it adds the perfect amount of sweetness you’d want to reach that perfect balance. Just add prosciutto or eggs for some protein and olives and you get a simple, yet perfect lunch meal.

If you want a fast breakfast you could also cut some bread slices and heat it in a toaster oven and spread some of your favourite jam on top and top with fresh berries. Yum!

Can I make this dough by hand?

In theory yes if you have a lot of time on your hands and a lot of muscles on your bones. Using a stand mixer will make your life easier just due to the fact that there is so much that goes into the mixing process.

Kneading the dough by hand would be the equivalent to arms day at the gym. Use a stand mixer!

brioche bread with 2 slices and jam and a spoon

What else can I use brioche for?

Of course, you can make a loaf of brioche to use as an everyday sandwich bread but I would be remiss if I didn’t let you in on some of the ways you would be missing out on if you don’t use it to it’s fullest potential.

For example, as simple as this may seem, croutons! Can you imagine biting into one of those crispy bits? Or what about using it as buns for an ice cream sandwich?

Or hamburgers and dare I say it is the BEST way to make a Croque madame/monsieur.

The versatility of this perfect brioche bread recipe knows no bounds.

How can I store it?

In order to maintain freshness and moisture, you will need to have it in a plastic bag or wrapped tightly to keep at room temperature for 3-4 days. It can also be kept frozen for up to a month and thawed at room temperature.

So if you are looking for a simple but delicious Brioche bread, I hope you give this Simple Yogurt Brioche Bread a try.