Go Back
Freshly baked chocolate chip vanilla custard brioches with golden crust, creamy custard filling, and melted chocolate chips on a tray.

Chocolate Chip Vanilla Custard Brioches Recipe – Easy French Pastry

Chocolate chip vanilla custard brioches are a decadent pastry that combines soft, buttery brioche dough with a creamy vanilla custard filling and sweet chocolate chips. Golden brown and irresistibly fluffy, these pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Elegant yet easy to prepare, they bring a touch of French bakery indulgence to your kitchen and are sure to impress family and guests alike.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine French-inspired, modern baking
Servings 12 brioches
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook (or mixing bowl + spoon)
  • Saucepan for custard
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush

Ingredients
  

For Brioche Dough:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 packet (7g) instant yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup warm milk

For Vanilla Custard:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Assembly:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp coarse sugar (for topping)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions
 

  • Make brioche dough: Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add eggs and warm milk, knead until smooth. Incorporate butter gradually. Knead until elastic. Cover and let rise 1–2 hours.
  • Prepare custard: Heat milk until steaming. Whisk yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Slowly add hot milk, return to saucepan, cook until thickened. Stir in vanilla. Cool completely.
  • Shape brioches: Punch down dough, divide into 12 portions. Flatten each, add a spoonful of custard and a few chocolate chips, then seal and shape into balls.
  • Second rise: Place on parchment-lined sheet, cover, and let rise 30–45 minutes.
  • Bake: Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
  • Serve: Cool slightly, then enjoy warm with coffee or tea.

Notes

  • Chill custard before filling to prevent leaks.
  • Use high-quality butter for authentic brioche richness.
  • Swap chocolate chips for chopped dark chocolate or fruit.
  • Best enjoyed fresh, but can be reheated gently in the oven.
  • Freeze baked brioches for up to 1 month; thaw and warm before serving.
Keyword Brioche, chocolate chip pastry, custard-filled bread, French baking, sweet rolls