I still remember the first time I made this bread machine recipe—it was meant to be a side dish, but it stole the entire breakfast show. The buttery aroma alone had everyone hovering near the kitchen, waiting for a slice.
Brioche is the kind of bread that makes even the simplest meal feel like a luxury. With a bread machine, it’s not just easy—it’s foolproof.
Why This Bread Machine Recipe Is Worth It
Brioche in a bread machine takes the guesswork out of making what’s traditionally considered a complicated, hands-on bread. You don’t need to knead by hand or babysit the dough—just layer the ingredients, set the program, and let the machine handle the magic.
- Perfectly soft, with a golden, buttery crumb
- Consistently fluffy texture every time
- Minimal effort with maximum payoff
- Great for sweet or savory dishes
What Makes Brioche Different from Other Breads?
This isn’t your average loaf. Brioche is rich—like, “I could eat this plain and be happy” rich.
Thanks to a generous amount of butter and eggs, it turns out tender and lightly sweet. It feels indulgent, but it still pairs well with a range of toppings and uses.
This bread machine recipe brings all the richness of traditional brioche without the hassle:
- Egg-enriched dough that’s soft and airy
- Golden crust with a delicate crumb
- Sweet but not overpowering—great with both jam and cheese
- Holds up beautifully in toasting, slicing, or sandwich-making
It’s the kind of loaf that makes toast feel gourmet.
Creative Serving Ideas for Brioche
Once your brioche is out of the bread machine and cooled, it becomes the foundation for so many standout meals. Whether you lean sweet or savory, there’s a delicious way to use every slice.
Here are just a few Pinterest-worthy ideas:
- French toast: Dip thick slices into a cinnamon-vanilla batter for an ultra-decadent breakfast
- Croque madame: Layer with ham, cheese, and a fried egg for a French café-style lunch
- Fruit toast: Spread with ricotta or mascarpone, top with berries or peaches, and drizzle with honey
- Brioche bread pudding: Cube and bake with custard and raisins for a rich dessert
- Mini sliders: Use small slices or cut rounds for buttery, bite-size sandwich sliders
Tips to Make Your Loaf Even Better
Even with a reliable bread machine recipe, a few tweaks can take your brioche from great to unforgettable.
Try these tricks:
- Use high-quality butter for a creamier flavor
- Let the loaf cool completely before slicing—this preserves the texture
- If your crust is too dark, choose a lighter crust setting next time
- Swap out water for milk for an even softer crumb
- Add orange zest or cardamom for a subtle twist
You can also freeze slices for up to a month—perfect for prepping ahead.
Variations to Fit Your Diet or Cravings
This recipe is flexible enough to suit a range of diets and tastes. You can easily adjust it to match what you need, whether that’s a lower sugar option or something a bit more festive.
Here’s how you can mix it up:
- Vegan version: Use plant-based butter, a flax egg, and oat milk
- Low sugar: Cut the sugar in half for a more savory base
- Gluten-free: Swap in a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend with a binder like xanthan gum
- Dessert-style: Add mini chocolate chips or swirl in cinnamon sugar before baking
- Holiday-ready: Top with pearl sugar or brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with almonds
Whatever direction you go, the bread machine does the heavy lifting—and the result is always crave-worthy.
Brioche Bread Machine Recipe
Equipment
- Bread machine with sweet program
- 1½- to 2-pound loaf capacity pan
Ingredients
1½-Pound Loaf:
- ¾ cup water
- 5 tbsp butter softened and cut into pieces
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tsp yeast
2-Pound Loaf:
- 1 cup water
- 8 tbsp butter softened and cut into pieces
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1¾ tsp yeast
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to your bread machine’s baking pan in the exact order listed, starting with the water and ending with the yeast.
- Select the Sweet program on your bread machine. If unavailable, use the Basic setting on the lightest crust option.
- Choose the correct loaf size (1½-lb or 2-lb), and press Start.
- Once baking is complete, carefully remove the bread from the pan.
- Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use thick slices for French toast—add cinnamon to the batter and top with fresh berries.
- Ideal for croque madame-style breakfast sandwiches.
- Spread with ricotta or cream cheese and top with sliced fruit like peaches or blueberries.
- This bread is delicate—using the sweet setting prevents overbaking the crust. Always follow your machine’s manual if the setting names vary.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.