Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Recipe

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Recipe for Beginners

Chocolate chip vanilla custard brioches represent the pinnacle of indulgent pastry crafting.

Buttery, tender bread becomes a canvas for luscious vanilla custard and delectable chocolate chips.

Rich flavors meld together in a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

These elegant treats revolutionize ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Soft, pillowy dough envelops creamy custard and scattered chocolate surprises with irresistible charm.

Each carefully crafted brioche promises a moment of pure gastronomic pleasure.

The result is a sophisticated yet approachable delicacy that beckons you to savor every delightful bite.

Expert Tips for Fluffy Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches

  • Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure your yeast is fresh and lukewarm water helps activate it smoothly without killing the delicate microorganisms.
  • Knead with Patience: Take time while incorporating butter, allowing dough to develop elasticity and strength through gradual absorption.
  • Control Dough Temperature: Maintain consistent warm environment during proofing to help dough rise evenly and develop rich flavor profiles.
  • Prevent Custard Lumps: Continuously whisk egg mixture while adding hot milk, keeping temperature steady to create silky-smooth custard without scrambling.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerating dough multiple times helps develop complex flavors and makes handling easier, ensuring tender and flaky brioches.

Storing and Reheating Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Like a Pro

  • Refrigeration: Wrap your chocolate chip vanilla custard brioches individually in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. These delicate pastries will stay fresh for 2-3 days when kept in the refrigerator. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to maintain their delicate flavor profile.
  • Freezing: Preserve your brioches for up to one month by carefully wrapping each piece in plastic wrap, then placing them inside a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain their soft, buttery texture. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
  • Reheating: Bring refrigerated brioches to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Pairing Ideas for Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches

  • Pair with Creamy Caramel Latte: The rich vanilla custard and chocolate chips in the brioche beg for a smooth, sweet caramel latte. The coffee's warmth complements the pastry's buttery texture, creating a decadent morning indulgence.
  • Match with Fresh Berries Compote: Tart mixed berries provide a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet, rich brioche. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries cut through the custard's creaminess, offering a refreshing balance.
  • Serve with Chilled Almond Milk: A cool, nutty almond milk rounds out the dessert's sweetness. Its light, smooth profile prevents the brioche from feeling heavy, making each bite feel lighter and more enjoyable.
  • Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream enhances the brioche's vanilla custard notes. The cold, creamy texture creates a delightful temperature and flavor harmony that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Flavor-Packed Twists on Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches

  • French Lavender Dream: Infuse the vanilla custard with dried lavender buds, creating a subtle floral essence that complements the rich chocolate chips and buttery brioche texture.
  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Substitute chocolate chips with chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce over the brioches after baking, adding a decadent layer of sweet crunchiness.
  • Citrus Berry Burst: Incorporate orange zest into the custard and sprinkle fresh raspberry pieces alongside the chocolate chips, bringing a bright and tangy dimension to the classic recipe.
  • Spiced Maple Sensation: Mix ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the dough, replace regular sugar with maple syrup in the custard, and garnish with toasted almond slivers for a warm, autumnal flavor profile.

What Makes Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches So Special

  • Craft Luxurious Layers: This brioche recipe delivers an elegant, multi-textured experience with soft, buttery dough and creamy vanilla custard that melts perfectly with rich chocolate chips.
  • Master Sophisticated Pastry Technique: Creating these brioches requires patient, professional-level skills like precise dough kneading, gradual butter incorporation, and careful custard preparation, making it a rewarding culinary challenge for passionate home bakers.
  • Indulge in Decadent Flavor Combination: The harmonious blend of smooth vanilla custard, rich chocolate chips, and tender brioche creates a sophisticated dessert that balances sweetness, creaminess, and delicate bread texture, elevating it beyond standard pastry offerings.
  • Enjoy Versatile Weekend Treat: Perfect for leisurely weekend breakfasts, elegant brunch gatherings, or as a special afternoon snack, these brioches offer a gourmet experience that transforms ordinary moments into memorable culinary celebrations.

Must-Have Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches

Bread Base Ingredients:
  • Flour: The foundation of the brioche, providing structure and texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and fermentation.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity.
  • Yeast: Essential for dough rising and developing breads characteristic texture.
  • Eggs: Contribute richness, color, and help bind the dough together.
  • Butter: Adds flavor, softness, and creates a luxurious texture to the brioche.
Custard Filling Ingredients:
  • Milk: Creates the creamy base for the vanilla custard.
  • Vanilla Pod and Seeds: Provides intense, authentic vanilla flavor.
  • Egg Yolks: Thickens and enriches the custard with a smooth, silky texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the custard and balances flavors.
  • Flour: Helps to stabilize and thicken the custard.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.
  • Butter: Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel to the custard.
Topping and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds bursts of chocolate flavor and texture.
  • Sugar: Used for creating a sweet syrup to brush on top.
  • Water: Helps create the glazing syrup for a shiny finish.

How to Bake Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, salt, and crumbled yeast. Mix briefly to blend ingredients.

Step 2: Knead the Dough

Add eggs to the mixture and knead on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the dough becomes strong and thick.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Gradually add diced butter while mixing at medium speed. Continue for about 20 minutes until the dough becomes dense, smooth, and slightly sticky.

Step 4: First Proofing

Transfer dough to a clean bowl and cover tightly with cling film. Place in a warm area for 2 hours or until the dough doubles in size.

Step 5: Chill and Shape Dough

Shape the risen dough into a rectangle. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 40 minutes to 2 hours. Freeze for an additional 20 minutes.

Step 6: Create Vanilla Custard Base

Ingredients for custard:
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Vanilla pod
  • Vanilla seeds

Heat these ingredients together over medium heat.

Step 7: Prepare Egg Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Egg yolks
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Cornstarch

Blend until smooth and lump-free.

Step 8: Combine Custard Ingredients

Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.

Step 9: Thicken Custard

Return mixture to low-medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with cling film touching the surface, and refrigerate.

Step 10: Assemble Brioche Layers

Roll out chilled brioche dough on parchment paper into an 8×12 inch rectangle. Spread custard on half the dough and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly.

Step 11: Prepare for Baking

Fold remaining dough over the filling. Cut into 8 rectangles and place on a baking sheet. Allow 2 hours for final rising.

Step 12: Bake and Finish

Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes. Brush with sugar syrup after baking.

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Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Recipe

Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Recipe


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4.9 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 12 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Classic French brioches meet American chocolate chip dreams in this luxurious pastry fusion. Silky vanilla custard and rich chocolate chips nestle inside golden, buttery brioche dough, promising a delightful breakfast or afternoon indulgence you’ll savor with pure pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups + 1 tablespoon (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup + 2 teaspoons (25 cl) whole milk
  • 3 eggs (150g) beaten
  • ⅔ cup (165g) unsalted butter softened and diced

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.35 ounces (10g) fresh yeast crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (20g) cornstarch
  • ¼ cup (50g) sugar

Custard and Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 2 yolks
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • ¾ cup (120g) mini chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup (50ml) water
  • 1 large egg & yolk beaten

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl equipped with a paddle attachment, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and crumbled active dry yeast. Gently mix the dry ingredients to ensure even distribution.
  2. Add whole eggs to the mixture and knead on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until the dough develops strength and becomes elastic.
  3. Gradually introduce softened unsalted butter (diced into small cubes) while continuing to mix at medium speed. Allow approximately 15-20 minutes for complete butter absorption, creating a smooth, slightly tacky dough consistency.
  4. Transfer the developed dough to a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover securely with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm, draft-free location for 1.5-2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in volume.
  5. Carefully shape the proofed dough into a rectangular form. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, followed by a 30-minute freezer rest to firm up the dough.
  6. For the vanilla custard, combine whole milk and unsalted butter in a medium saucepan. Split and scrape a vanilla bean, adding both seeds and pod to the milk mixture. Heat over medium temperature until just before boiling.
  7. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and cornstarch until perfectly smooth and free of lumps.
  8. Temper the egg mixture by slowly streaming the hot milk into the yolk blend, whisking continuously to prevent egg scrambling.
  9. Return the combined custard to the saucepan, cooking over low-medium heat while stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Immediately transfer to a clean bowl, press plastic wrap directly onto the custard surface, and refrigerate until completely chilled.
  10. Roll out the chilled brioche dough on parchment paper into a 8 x 12 inches (20 x 30 centimeters) rectangle. Spread the cooled vanilla custard evenly across half the dough, then sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips uniformly.
  11. Carefully fold the remaining dough over the filled section, creating a sealed packet. Slice into 8 equal rectangular portions and arrange on a lined baking sheet, allowing space between each piece for final proofing.
  12. Let the shaped brioches rise in a warm environment for 1.5-2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Brush with a light sugar syrup immediately after removing from the oven for a glossy finish.

Notes

  • Crafting this brioche requires patience and precision, transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious pastry.
  • Yeast activation begins the magical transformation, creating a soft, pillowy dough that promises delectable results.
  • Butter integration takes time, slowly kneading for 20 minutes to develop a silky, elastic texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Chilling the dough helps develop complex flavors and makes shaping easier, allowing for a more controlled baking experience.
  • Vanilla custard becomes the secret weapon, providing a rich, creamy filling that complements the chocolate chips perfectly.
  • Final rising and baking create a golden-brown exterior with a tender, indulgent interior that will impress even the most discerning pastry lover.
  • Prep Time: 3 hours
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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