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Carrot Cake Brioche Buns with Goat Cheese Glaze

Ingredients
  

Brioche Dough

  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 1/8 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs lightly beatened
  • 2 1/2 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, diced

Carrot Cake Filling

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 1-inch knob ginger, fine julienne
  • 3/4 cup carrot matchsticks
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Goat Cheese Glaze

  • 140 g 5 oz goat cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

For the Brioche

  • Pour the milk into a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Heat the milk to 120°F, then remove from the heat and transfer to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the yeast and lightly stir. Leave the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
  • When the 5 minutes have elapsed, add the sugar, salt, and eggs to the milk/yeast mixture and stir until just combine.
  • Set the mixer to it's lowest setting and add a cup of the flour. Slowly add the remaining flour ,1/4 cup at a time. Adding more flour only when the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. Once you approach the 2 1/2 cups mark, check how sticky the dough is. The dough should be tacky but not gooey. You may need the extra 1/2 cup of flour, or you may not. I always err on the side of sticky dough, because you can always knead in a little extra flour by hand later on. If your dough is too dry, it's harder to walk it back.
  • Once the flour is thoroughly integrated, you can start adding the butter. Add the butter a piece or two at a time. Once the butter is no longer visible, add another two pieces. Continue until all the butter is integrated. This can take up to 30 minutes. Be patient.
  • Transfer the dough to a well-floured surface and knead for another 5 minutes. Form the dough into a ball and set aside. Grease a large mixing bowl with butter and add the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours or until doubled in size.

For the Filling

  • While the dough is rising, make the filling.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is bubbling, add the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, salt and nutmeg. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the ginger and carrot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the slivered almonds.
  • Transfer the filling to a bowl and let cool completely.

To Assemble

  • Place the risen brioche dough on a floured surface and using a well-floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to a rough rectangle, about 1/4 of an inch thick.
  • Spoon the cooled filling onto the dough and spread it evenly with the back of the spoon. Be sure to leave a 1-inch border of bare dough along the edge closest to you.
  • Starting with the edge farthest from you, tightly roll the dough into a log. Place the log seam down and wrap in parchment paper. Place the log on a flat surface in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Slice the chilled log into 9 evenly-sized buns. Place the buns in a 9 x 7-inch baking dish and cover with plastic wrap. Transfer the buns to the fridge and let rise for 3 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Make the egg wash by whisking the yolk and cream together in a small mixing bowl. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the buns generously with the egg wash.
  • Place the buns in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Transfer the buns to a cooling wrack and cool for 10 minutes before glazing.

For the Glaze

  • Place the goat cheese in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the sugar and whisk at a medium speed until a thick paste forms, about 3 minutes.
  • Increase the speed to high and add the heavy cream, salt and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and silky.

To Finish

  • Pour the glaze over the warm buns and let sit for another 10 minutes. Sprinkle the buns with additional slivered almonds and serve immediately.