Lemon Brioche: Light, Fluffy and Perfectly Sweet

Treat yourself to these delicious lemon buns, light and fluffy pastries with a refreshing lemon glaze that makes them perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. The soft, buttery dough is infused with zesty lemon, creating a delicate balance of sweetness and tartness that is both comforting and invigorating. These buns are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate, making them a perfect addition to any meal or gathering.

Why you'll love this: These lemon buns offer a unique take on the classic brioche with their bright lemon flavor, making them a refreshing alternative to traditional pastries. The dough is rich and buttery, yet light and airy, while the lemon glaze adds a delicious sweetness with just the right amount of tang. They are easy to make and add a touch of elegance to any occasion.

Perfect opportunity: Perfect for a hearty breakfast, a special brunch or a snack, these lemon buns are versatile enough to suit any occasion. They also make a lovely homemade gift or a treat to share with friends and family.

Decorating tips:

• Extra zest: For a bright finish, sprinkle additional lemon zest over the frosting while it's still wet.
• Sprinkle with sugar: Dust the cooled buns with a little icing sugar before drizzling with icing for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Berry garnish: Serve with fresh berries on the side to complement the lemon flavor.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 50 g sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 100 ml of hot milk
• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 50 g of soft butter
• Zest of 1 organic lemon

For the lemon glaze:

• 100 g caster sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Optional: additional lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:
   • In a large bowl, sift the flour and create a well in the center. Add the dry yeast to the well, sprinkle with a pinch of sugar, and pour about 2 tablespoons of warm milk over the yeast. Cover the bowl and let the yeast activate for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Mix the dough:
   • Once the yeast is activated, add the remaining sugar, salt, egg, softened butter and lemon zest to the bowl. Pour in the remaining milk and mix until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
3. Let the dough rise:
   • Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape the buns:
   • Once the dough has risen, knead it lightly on a floured work surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece. Cover and let rest for another 30 minutes.
5. Cook:
   • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the dough balls with beaten egg yolk to brown them and bake them in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cover with a clean cloth to cool.
6. Prepare the lemon icing:
   • In a small bowl, mix the icing sugar with the freshly squeezed lemon juice until smooth. Add more lemon juice or icing sugar if necessary to achieve the desired consistency. Optionally, add additional lemon zest for a more intense flavour.
   • Pour the icing over the cooled buns.

Enjoy your refreshing lemon buns, light, fluffy and bursting with the bright flavor of lemon!