Ube Swirl Brioche Buns are a delightful fusion of the rich, buttery texture of French brioche and the vibrant, sweet flavor of Filipino ube. These pillowy, golden buns are filled with a swirl of smooth ube halaya (ube jam), making each bite a delightful balance of sweetness and flavor. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat with your afternoon tea, these buns are a beautiful, indulgent twist on a classic recipe.
What is Ube Swirl Brioche Buns?
Ube Swirl Brioche Buns are a combination of two beloved components: the fluffy, soft texture of brioche bread and the unique, vibrant taste of ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines. Ube is a popular ingredient in Filipino desserts, known for its rich, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor. When paired with the richness of buttery brioche, the result is a mouthwatering, visually stunning bun.
These buns are typically made by rolling a sweet ube filling into a soft brioche dough, which is then baked until golden brown. The ube swirl not only adds color but also imparts a delightful sweetness that pairs perfectly with the buttery brioche.
Origin of Ube Swirl Brioche Buns
The origins of brioche date back to France, where it was developed in the 16th century. Known for its light, buttery texture, brioche has long been a staple in French bakeries and kitchens. Ube, on the other hand, hails from the Philippines, where it is used in a variety of desserts, such as ice cream, cakes, and pastries.
The fusion of these two elements—brioche and ube—has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in places with large Filipino communities. The combination of French baking techniques with Filipino flavors has given birth to delicious creations like the Ube Swirl Brioche Bun.
Ingredients: Ube Brioche Buns
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Ube Swirl Brioche Buns:
Brioche Dough:
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) warm milk (about 100°F / 38°C)
- 10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened (but not melted)
Ube Filling:
- ¾ cup (180 g) ube halaya (ube jam; store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp ube extract (for color & aroma)
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk, whisked
Optional Glaze (for shine):
- 2 tbsp milk + 1 tbsp sugar (for brushing over warm buns for a glossy finish)
Step-by-Step Directions and Preparation Method
Follow these easy steps to make the perfect Ube Swirl Brioche Buns:
1. Make the Brioche Dough
- Step 1: In a large bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook), combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Step 2: Add eggs and warm milk to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 3: Gradually add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, while mixing.
- Step 4: Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes (either by hand or with the stand mixer) until it is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Step 5: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1½–2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Ube Filling
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the ube halaya, butter, sugar, and ube extract until smooth.
- Step 2: Taste the filling and adjust the sweetness, adding more sugar if desired. Set aside.
3. Shape the Buns
- Step 1: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to remove any air bubbles, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
- Step 2: Roll the dough out into a 12×16-inch rectangle.
- Step 3: Spread the ube filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Step 4: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, similar to how you would roll up cinnamon rolls.
- Step 5: Slice the dough into 10–12 even pieces.
4. Second Rise
- Step 1: Arrange the sliced buns in a parchment-lined baking pan or muffin tins, slightly spaced apart to allow room for them to expand.
- Step 2: Cover the buns with a clean towel and let them rise for 45–60 minutes, or until they are puffy.
5. Bake
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp milk) for a golden finish.
- Step 3: Bake the buns for 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant.
- Step 4: Let the buns cool slightly before serving.
Optional Glaze (for Shine)
- For an extra touch of sweetness and shine, mix 2 tbsp milk with 1 tbsp sugar and brush this glaze over the buns right after they come out of the oven.
Tips & Variations: Ube Brioche Buns
- Use ube halaya: For the most authentic flavor, use ube halaya, not just ube flavoring.
- Chill overnight: For an even richer dough, you can chill the dough overnight after the first rise. Cold dough is easier to shape and can develop a more complex flavor.
- Add cream cheese frosting or glaze: If you prefer a sweeter treat, drizzle cream cheese frosting or a sweet glaze over the buns.
- Freezing: These buns freeze wonderfully. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds before serving.
FAQs About Ube Swirl Brioche Buns
1. Can I make the ube filling at home?
Yes, you can make ube halaya (ube jam) at home by cooking ube, sugar, coconut milk, and butter together until it thickens to a jam-like consistency.
2. Can I use other fillings besides ube?
Yes! You can experiment with different fillings like cinnamon sugar, chocolate, or fruit preserves. Just ensure the filling isn’t too runny.
3. Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the dough after the first rise. Simply shape the buns and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, let them rise at room temperature for 1–2 hours before baking.
4. What is the best way to store Ube Swirl Brioche Buns?
Store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them and reheat when needed.
Conclusion: Ube Swirl Brioche Buns
Ube Swirl Brioche Buns offer the perfect combination of French and Filipino flavors, resulting in a soft, fluffy, and visually stunning treat. The sweet ube filling swirled within the rich, buttery brioche dough makes these buns an irresistible addition to any occasion. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast or as a sweet dessert, these buns are sure to delight your guests and become a new favorite. Follow the simple steps outlined in this recipe, and enjoy the comforting, delicious taste of Ube Swirl Brioche Buns fresh out of the oven!
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Ube Swirl Brioche Buns Recipe: A Fusion of French Elegance and Filipino Delight
- Total Time: 45 minutes (+1 hour for proofing)
- Yield: 8 buns 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ube Swirl Brioche Buns are a combination of two beloved components: the fluffy, soft texture of brioche bread and the unique, vibrant taste of ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines. Ube is a popular ingredient in Filipino desserts, known for its rich, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor. When paired with the richness of buttery brioche, the result is a mouthwatering, visually stunning bun.
Ingredients
Brioche Dough:
3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
½ tsp salt
3 large eggs (room temperature)
¼ cup (60 ml) warm milk (about 100°F / 38°C)
10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened (but not melted)
Ube Filling:
¾ cup (180 g) ube halaya (ube jam; store-bought or homemade)
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
½ tsp ube extract (for color & aroma)
Egg Wash:
1 egg + 1 tbsp milk, whisked
Instructions
1. Make the brioche dough
In a large bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook), combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
Add eggs and warm milk. Mix on low until a shaggy dough forms.
Gradually add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, while mixing.
Knead for 8–10 minutes (medium speed or by hand) until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1½–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the ube filling
In a small bowl, mix together ube halaya, butter, sugar, and ube extract until smooth.
Adjust sweetness as desired. Set aside.
3. Shape the buns
Once dough has doubled, punch it down and turn onto a lightly floured surface.
Roll out into a 12×16-inch rectangle.
Spread the ube filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
Roll up tightly from the long edge into a log.
Slice into 10–12 even pieces (like cinnamon rolls).
4. Second rise
Arrange buns in a parchment-lined baking pan or muffin tins (slightly spaced apart).
Cover and let rise for another 45–60 minutes, until puffy.
5. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush tops with egg wash.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant.
Let cool slightly before serving.
💫 Optional Glaze (for shine)
Mix 2 tbsp milk + 1 tbsp sugar. Brush over warm buns right after baking for a glossy finish.
Notes
These Ube Swirl Brioche Buns are soft, fluffy, and beautifully swirled with vibrant purple ube. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat! You can serve them with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of icing, or even a smear of butter or cream cheese for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread / Bakery
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino / Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 280
Keywords: Ube Brioche Buns, Ube Swirl Buns, Filipino Brioche Buns, Ube Filled Brioche
