What is brioche? – 10 things you need to know about brioche

What is brioche? How do you even pronounce the word brioche? Here’s everything you need to know about the French classic, including the best recipes and ways to serve brioche.

Are you wondering what is brioche bread, and what to do with it? The team from St Pierre is here to answer all your burning brioche questions in honor of National Brioche Day (May 14^th) and throughout the year. Find out everything about brioche and how to best enjoy it – and become a true brioche expert to wow your friends and family at your next brunch!

1. What is brioche bread?

Brioche is a French bread, made with an enriched dough. Brioche is basically bread, but (in our opinion) much better! It’s a soft, lightly sweet, rich bread, that works in both sweet recipes and savory dishes alike. Brioche is made with an enriched dough, that’s what gives it the signature light sweetness and rich taste. It’s known for its golden color, soft texture and simply delicious taste.

2. How do you pronounce “brioche”?

Naturally, brioche is a French word, and it’s pronounced “bri-yosh”. Different accents may say the word slightly differently – for example here in the USA we typically tend to pronounce it “bree-aash” while people in the UK say something more like “bree-osh”.

However, it doesn’t really matter whether you get the pronunciation quite right – it’s all about savoring and enjoying brioche whenever you want.

3. What should I make with brioche?

Brioche is incredibly versatile, and offers everyone countless ways to bring a little touch of Paris to their kitchen. You can use brioche for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner, desserts, and then some! It’s also just as delicious in savory dishes like sandwiches and burgers, as it is in sweet recipes like French toast and sweet casseroles.

Try substituting brioche in for your regular bread – for example next time you’re making sandwiches for lunch, or shopping for burger buns for grilling. You can make brioche toast, create the ultimate croutons for salad, or transform the everyday grilled cheese into something even more delicious. We love making mini burgers with our St Pierre Brioche Slider Rolls for a light but indulgent bite.

To get started using the French classic and for the best brioche recipes, the St Pierre team would love to help. Browse our recipe selection to bring a touch of Paris to your plate, or get started with one of our favorite recipes below…

Brioche French Toast

Days that start with French toast are always that much sweeter than others. It’s a true classic, traditionally served for brunch or breakfast, but also makes for a decadent dessert. We think the best French toast recipe involves slices of our Brioche Loaf, generously soaked in a custard of milk, eggs and vanilla. Gently fry the slices in a buttered pan, and top with plenty of powdered sugar, fresh berries and a drizzle of syrup. For special occasions like Mother’s Day or Easter morning,  add a spoonful or two of chocolate sauce, too.

Discover what we believe is the best brioche French toast recipe to get started:

Loaded Brioche Burger

There’s nothing quite like the classic cheeseburger. By adding a little French flair in the form of a St Pierre Brioche Burger Bun, you can elevate your burgers to new heights. . Whether it’s for a midweek burger night or a special weekend celebration, it will make any occasion magnifique.We suggest giving your brioche bun a light toast in the oven, under the broiler, or on the grill. After being toasted, give them a generous swipe of mustard, ketchup or burger sauce, and load them up with all your favorite toppings. The light sweetness of our Brioche Burger Buns means they’re the ideal accompaniment for beef patties, veggie burgers and even fried chicken – let your creativity run free!

Chili Brioche Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are a true American classic, and for good reason. Take your dogs to the next level with St Pierre Brioche Hot Dog Rolls. The light sweetness and soft texture make for a whole new level of hot dogs, and add a Parisian  twist to your franks.

For a further twist on a classic, we like to add some chili to our brioche dog for some extra spice. Still craving more brioche? Chase it with a fresh and delicious dessert, filling a Brioche Hot Dog Roll with some homemade raspberry mascarpone – a showstopper for your 4th of July gatherings.

Check out our Chili Brioche Hot Dog recipe and our Sweet Raspberry Mascarpone Rolls recipe.

4. Can I freeze brioche?

St Pierre brioche products are unfortunately not suitable for freezing.

5. Where can I buy brioche?

You can buy St Pierre brioche products all across the country in grocery stores, – you’ll find them in the in store bakery aisle. To find your nearest store, visit our Where to Buy page for more information.

6. Can I toast brioche?

Brioche bread can be toasted. You will need to watch it more closely than regular bread while it’s in the toaster or under the grill or broiler, though; this is because brioche bread dough has a higher sugar content than many other loaves, and therefore can burn more quickly.

Brioche doesn’t need to be toasted to taste delicious, however. We often like ours simply spread with butter as a quick snack. However, we do recommend lightly toasting our St Pierre Brioche Burger Buns to warm them up before building your burger. We also like to toast up a St Pierre Brioche Roll in the toaster oven before spreading it with jelly or creating a Parisian-inspired PB&J.

In general, our St Pierre brioche products are suitable for light toasting – try 1-2 minutes on a low to medium heat for the best results. , We recommend heating up your St Pierre Brioche Burger Buns and Hot Dog Rolls in the oven, as well as any chocolate chip brioche products, so the chocolate doesn’t burn in the toaster oven.

7. How do the French eat brioche?

In France, most people eat brioche for breakfast, or as a snack in the afternoon. School kids often celebrate the end of the school day with a chocolate brioche snack, accompanied by a glass of milk – a twist on cookies and milk! French breakfast ideas are often sweet, so brioche spread with jelly or Nutella served with a milky coffee is a common  way to start the day.

8. How do I serve brioche?

How to serve brioche? However you like! Brioche can be used in breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert recipes, so use it whenever you get the urge to add a little taste of Paris to your day. Brioche works well in either sweet or savory dishes, so it really is versatile. Sub in St Pierre brioche in place of regular bread for a bit of extra flavor.

The best brioche recipes are the ones that add something to your day. You might make brioche toast to serve with jelly and peanut butter for breakfast. Or, perhaps you’ll take a brioche bun and create the ultimate burger for an easy weeknight dinner recipe. Create a decadent casserole, sprinkle brioche croutons on your Caesar salad, or spend a lazy morning over plates of syrupy brioche French toast. Bring a little taste of the cafés of Paris to your kitchen, and enjoy.

9. What makes brioche different to most breads?

Brioche is made with an enriched dough, which makes it different to most breads we have in the USA. It’s the enrichment of brioche bread dough that makes it so, well, magnifique – the soft texture, the rich color, the sweet taste.

You can use brioche in place of lots of common bread in recipes. For example, in toasted sandwich recipes (brioche grilled cheese is a particular favorite of ours), sweet casseroles , and even for dishes such as garlic bread or Philly cheesesteak .

Where does brioche bread come from?

Brioche bread originated in France, like so many of our favorite bakery items. It dates back to the Middle Ages in France, and most cities and regions have their own unique recipe. The best brioche bread recipes are passed down from generation to generation, with contemporary additions and tweaks made along the way.

By adding brioche to your meals, you can bring a touch of Parisian café culture to your home. A delicious way to explore a new culture!

Go to our Brioche portal if you want to know more.

Thank you for reading our blog post! If you try any of our recipes make sure to tag us on our Instagram and Facebook. For information on where to find St Pierre products, visit our Where To Buy page.