Brioche is a bread of French origin that is similar to a highly enriched pastry, and whose high egg and butter content gives it a rich and tender crumb. Chef Joël Robuchon described it as “light and slightly puffy, more or less fine, according to the proportion of butter and eggs.”
Brioche Bread vs Milk Bread
Brioche dough is an enriched bread dough made lots of butter. Milk bread is made with a two step process that begins with a warm paste of flour and water called a tangzhong which is then incorporated into the dough. It’s softness comes from this precooked mixture, whereas the rich soft crumb of brioche is created with the addition of lots and lots of butter to an enriched dough that also includes eggs and butter.
Both breads are soft and delicious, but broiche has more chew, and a richer, buttery taste, while milk bread is like biting onto a cloud.