Orange Brioche

Aug 14, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Breads rolls Vanilla: Beans Medium

A glossy, deep golden orange brioche on a wooden board, one piece torn open to show the soft, feathery crumb

Tender, buttery orange brioche enriched with orange zest and orange blossom water, featuring a soft crumb accented by vanilla bean for a fragrant citrus twist.

Prep 45 min

Cook 25 min

Cooling 2 hr 30 min

Total 5 hr 10 min

Yield 12 buns

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

buns

4.0 cups (480.0 g)bread flour
⅓ cup (67.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tsp (6.0 g)instant yeast
1 ½ tsp (9.0 g)fine sea salt
4.0 large (200.0 g)eggs
½ cup (120.0 ml)whole milk, warmed to 95°F (35°C)
12.0 tbsp (170.0 g)unsalted butter, very soft
2.0 tsp (4.0 g)orange zest (from about 2 medium oranges)
½ tsp (2.0 ml)orange blossom water
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 large (50.0 g)egg, for egg wash

Make it at home

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Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine bread flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and fine sea salt; mix briefly to blend.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the warmed milk (95°F/35°C), 4 large eggs, orange blossom water, scraped vanilla bean seeds, and orange zest.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until just combined, about 2 minutes.
Increase the speed to medium and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough begins to form a ball.
Gradually add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue kneading for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours to chill and develop flavor.
After chilling, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a loaf or divide into 12 equal portions and shape into smooth buns.
Place shaped dough into a greased loaf pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and proof at room temperature until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Gently brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny, golden crust.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the brioche is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool the brioche on a wire rack at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

Incorporate orange zest finely to evenly distribute citrus aroma without bitterness.
If fresh vanilla bean is unavailable, substitute with 1 tsp pure vanilla extract added to wet ingredients.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make orange brioche?

Plan on 45 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking, plus 4 hours to rise, chill and rest. The recipe makes 12 orange brioche buns or 1 loaf.

How should I store orange brioche?

Keep brioche loosely wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze tightly wrapped for up to 1 month. Warm gently before serving.

Can I make orange brioche ahead?

Prepare dough a day ahead and refrigerate overnight before shaping and proofing for added flavor.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Tender, buttery orange brioche enriched with orange zest and orange blossom water, featuring a soft crumb accented by vanilla bean for a fragrant citrus twist.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

267 Calories / serving

15.1g Fat

26.1g Carbs

6.9g Protein

8.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~3204 cal · 181g fat · 313g carbs · 83g protein · 98g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 267 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 50 min·2.9 mi·~5850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 36 min·1.8 mi·~3600 steps
Moderate cycling 27 min·5.4 mi
Swimming laps 37 min
Jogging 26 min·2.2 mi·~4150 steps
Stair climbing 25 min·~2250 steps
Dancing 43 min
Bodyweight circuit training 27 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 62 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.