Fluffy brioche is rolled out thin, then spread with a cheese sauce filling, sprinkled with spring onion and chives, and rolled up into a tight spiral. It is then cut up into buns, snuggled into a skillet, and baked to golden perfection. The perfect savoury bun!
Cheese Brioche Buns with Chive and Spring Onion
I think we all know by now my intense love for swirly bread. I developed a killer brioche recipe a few years back, and it sneaks its way onto here at least once a month - in doughnuts, babka, fancy knots, buns, rolls, pull-apart bread, you name it, it’s probably lurking around here somewhere. The thing I love the most about brioche is how versatile it is. You can switch up the filling or ingredients slightly, change up the baking or frying method, and you have a whole new recipe.
Today I am sharing the recipe for these Cheese, Spring Onion, and Chive Brioche Buns. These first came about when I was testing for another recipe and was left with a batch of brioche dough in the fridge. I also happened to have a batch of cheese sauce from another recipe test, so I combined them, and the result was magical. These are just essentially a savoury version of the cinnamon roll - enriched dough is spread with a chilled cheese sauce filling, sprinkled with spring onions (scallions for those in the US) and chives, and then rolled into a tight spiral and snuggled up in a skillet. They kind of taste like the pizza rolls that we grew up on as kids that we used to get from the supermarket. They are great on their own, or amazing served alongside a soup for an easy meal. The cheese sauce filling is also perfect for using up the weird odds and ends of cheese you have in your fridge (or is that just me). Either way, swirly bread is the best, and I think this is a recipe you are going to love. Enjoy! x
A few wee tips for making Cheese Brioche Buns
- The great thing about the cheese sauce in this recipe is that you can use whatever you like in it - I usually have a whole range of cheese in my fridge, so use whatever you have! Just make sure that the total amount of cheese is the same as the weight in the recipe (250g).
- The cream cheese in the recipe really helps to smooth out the filling.
- Ideally the cheese sauce needs to be chilled overnight, but no worries at all if you don’t have time for that- just place it into a shallow container or bowl, chill for 20 min in the freezer, give it a good stir, then place in the fridge to continue chilling. Ideally make it before you get started on the bread dough so that it has as much time to chill as possible.
- I like making my brioche dough the night before sometimes - it means that it’s super easy to roll out if it’s a little cooler, and it breaks up the tasks, making it a little more manageable.
Tips for making these buns ahead of time
If you want to do some of the work ahead of time for these buns that is totally fine! I like to prepare the cheese sauce filling the day before so that it has some time to chill down. You can also do the first rise for the brioche overnight in the fridge, or alternatively on the same day in the fridge - it will need a minimum of 3 hours. You can make these work to your schedule!
More Cheese Bun Recipes:
- Caramelised Onion and Sharp Cheddar Brioche Buns
- Pretzels with Cheese Sauce Dip
- Tomato and Ricotta Pesto Pull-apart Buns
- Spicy Tomato Pesto Star Bread
Made this recipe and love it?
If you made this recipe then I would LOVE for you to leave me a review below to let me know how you liked it! Also, please make sure to tag me on Instagram if you make it!
A note on salt and oven temperature
It is important to note the type of salt that is called for in a recipe. I use Diamond Crystal salt throughout my recipes - if you use a different sort of kosher salt or regular table salt you will need to adjust accordingly as some salt is 'saltier' than others. Morton's salt is twice as salty, so you will need half the quantity. Same goes for a regular table salt. I am working to get gram measurements throughout my recipes for salt but still getting there.
All oven temperatures are conventional unless otherwise stated. If you are baking on fan / convection, you will need to adjust the temperature. An oven thermometer is a great investment to ensure that your oven is the correct temperature.
Using the double / triple function in the recipe card
You will notice that there is a '1X' '2X' '3X' button in my recipe card. This can be used for doubling or tripling a recipe. However, please note that this only doubles the ingredient quantities in the ingredients list and NOT in the method. If there are quantities or pan sizes in the method of the recipe (for example weigh out 150g brown butter), you will need to scale this number manually. It will also not change the baking time in the recipe so you will need to adjust this yourself too. It is always a good idea to read through a recipe fully before doubling it just to check this. If you would like to scale this recipe or convert for another pan size, use my calculator!
Tools and equipment
For a list of my go-to tools and equipment, I have a post you can refer to here.
Why is this recipe in grams?
I post my recipes in grams as it is the most accurate way to bake. Cups are not only inaccurate but they vary in volume worldwide. There is no way for me to provide one cup measure that works for everyone. However, posting in weight fixes this issue. If you would like the recipe in cups you are welcome to convert it yourself via google, but please do not ask me to do it for you as I am not comfortable providing a recipe using a method that I have not tested. Baking with a scale is easy, accurate, and also makes cleanup super simple. Here is the scale that I use if you would like a recommendation! Here's to accurate baking!
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Cheese, Spring Onion, and Chive Brioche Buns
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes plus chilling and rising time
- Yield: 9 buns 1x
Description
Fluffy Brioche is rolled out thin, then spread with a cheese sauce filling, sprinkled with spring onion and chives, and rolled up into a tight spiral. It is then cut up into buns, snuggled into a skillet, and baked to golden perfection. The perfect savoury bun!
Ingredients
Brioche Dough
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 250g whole milk, lukewarm
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 565g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 90g unsalted butter, at room temperature
Cheese Sauce Filling
- 30g unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 300g whole milk
- Salt and Pepper to Season
- 100g sharp cheddar, grated
- 75g gouda, grated
- 75g parmesan cheese, grated
- 70g cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
Filling
- 2 Spring onions (scallions), finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, plus a little more for garnish
- Egg wash - 1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water
- Pretzel salt for finishing (optional)
Instructions
BRIOCHE DOUGH
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast, milk and 1 Tbsp of the sugar. Mix well, and leave to sit for 10-15 minutes, or until foamy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, salt, and remaining 1 Tbsp sugar. Mix briefly to combine. Add the eggs and foamy yeast mixture to the bowl. Mix on low for 2-3 minutes, until the dough is starting to come together. It may look slightly dry but do not worry - it will mix together nicely in the next steps.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium, and mix for another 10 minutes, until the dough is soft and smooth.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low, and add the butter a little at a time, waiting until it is fully incorporated into the dough before adding the next piece. This process should take 3-4 minutes. Once the butter is fully incorporated, increase the mixer speed to medium, and mix for a further 5 minutes, until the dough is very soft and smooth.
- Transfer to an oiled bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours. Alternatively the first rise can be done overnight in the fridge.
CHEESE SAUCE FILLING
- In a medium pot, melt the butter, and then add the flour, whisking well to combine. Cook, for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, or until the mixture is bubbly and foaming slightly. Remove from the heat, and, whisking constantly, add the milk. Whisk well to combine, then return to the heat and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, whisking continuously, until the mixture has thickened.
- Season well with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and add the sharp cheddar, gouda, parmesan, and the cream cheese, and mix well to incorporate, continuing to stir until the cheese is melted. Add the wholegrain mustard and stir well.
- Transfer to an airtight container, and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the cheese sauce. Place in the refrigerator until completely cool, 3-4 hours or ideally overnight.
ASSEMBLY
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and roll to a 18”x20” (45cmx50cm) rectangle. Spread with the cheese sauce filling, and sprinkle with the spring onions and chives. Starting with the short edge, roll up the dough into a tight spiral. Press lightly on the seam to seal.
- Lightly grease a 10” cast iron skillet or springform pan. Using a sharp bread knife and a ruler, cut the log of dough into 9 2” pieces. Arrange in the skillet, leaving room between for rising.
- Lightly cover the skillet with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, until puffy. About 20 minutes before the buns are finished rising, preheat the oven to 350°f / 180°c. Brush the tops of the buns with egg wash, and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
- Bake the buns for 30 to 35 minutes, until they are golden brown on top and register 200°f / 95°c internal temperature.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with additional chives. Serve warm or at room temperature - reheat briefly in the microwave before eating to help freshen up.
Notes
If you would like to make these into 12 buns, roll the rectangle of dough to 16"x24" and arrange the 12 buns in a 9"x13" pan or quarter sheet pan.
Keywords: cheese buns, cheese and chive, cheese filling, cheese filling for buns, brioche
Once again, you rocked it. I made these over the weekend and they’re incredible. Definitely going to make these again!
Yayyyy I am so, so glad that you liked them! They are one of my faves!
What could I use instead of chives and spring onions if they aren’t in season and can’t get them in the store?
Hi! You could use finely chopped onion or shallot! Just leave it off as the garnish
These look pretty perfect 🙂 I can't wait to make them!
★★★★★
If the first rise is done overnight, does the dough need to sit out before putting it in the fridge overnight? Also, does the time for the second rise change with the refrigerated dough? Thanks!
Hi! Nope I just pop it straight into the fridge, and then roll out cold the next day. You may need to add a little extra time onto the second rise - just keep an eye on it, go by how it is looking rather than a specific time!
These are amazing! The brioche is so soft and fluffy and just the perfect amount of cheesiness! These were a huge hit with everyone, can't wait to make them again! We paired them with some potato leek soup and it was heaven!
★★★★★
Yayyy so glad you love! So, so good with soup x
Hi! Is it okay to use bread flour instead of APF? Do i need to adjust the other ingredients eg salt water or water content? Thanks
*salt, sugar or water content
Hi! I wouldn't use bread flour in this as it will make them too tough!
Made for my neighbor as a thank you. He loved them! Will definitely be making them for me next time 🙂
★★★★★
Excited to make these! Could I do a room temp first rise, assemble and then second rise in the fridge? Or would both rises in the fridge be better? Trying to save time for baking first thing in the morning. Changing filling to something that won’t cause as much leakage. Thoughts?
Hmmmm I would try and do the second rise at room temp if you can. I find a fridge rise for the second never goes as well and then you still have to bring it to room temp before baking to finish rising. I would just get all your stuff together (make the cheese filling the night before and do the first rise in the fridge) then pop them in a warm spot to rise.
While there are a couple of steps here, if you make the cheese sauce/filling the night prior (like Erin suggests), it makes it a lot easier on the day of! I'm a savoury gal through and through, and these hit the spot. The brioche is soft and fluffy, and the cheese sauce and chives are the perfect combo. I also keep the brioche dough recipe on hand to fill with other types of filling.
★★★★★
Yayyyy so so happy you love them!