These fluffy, golden Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls are the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Soft brioche dough is infused with a delicious sage honey butter, making them the ideal side dish for any holiday meal or just as a comforting snack. Best served warm, these rolls are a family favorite that will have everyone asking for more.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Brioche Rolls:
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 packet instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
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1 tsp salt
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1/4 cup honey
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1/4 cup warm milk
For the Sage Honey Butter:
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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2 tbsp honey
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1 tbsp fresh sage, fried and chopped
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Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)
Directions
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Make the Brioche Dough:
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add in the honey, eggs, and warm milk. Mix using the dough hook attachment until the dough comes together into a smooth ball (about 4-5 minutes). If it’s too sticky, add more flour. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
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Prepare the Sage Honey Butter:
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In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and fry the fresh sage leaves until crispy. Remove from the skillet and chop them finely. In a small bowl, combine the honey, softened butter, and chopped sage.
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Shape the Rolls:
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Punch the dough down, divide it in half, and roll each half into a 12-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Brush each square with the sage honey butter. Cut each square into 6 strips, then roll each strip into a coil. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in a greased 9×9-inch baking dish.
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Let the Rolls Rise:
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Brush the rolls with a beaten egg yolk, then cover them and let them rise for about 30 minutes until they are puffy.
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Bake the Rolls:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 22-25 minutes, until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with any leftover honey butter.
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Serve:
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Let the rolls cool slightly before serving. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and enjoy!
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Nutrients (Estimated per roll, makes 12 rolls)
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Calories: 292 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 35g
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Protein: 6g
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Fat: 16g
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Saturated Fat: 9g
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Fiber: 1g
What Makes Brioche Rolls So Special?
Brioche is a rich, buttery bread known for its soft, pillowy texture and slightly sweet flavor. The dough is made with a higher proportion of butter, eggs, and milk than most breads, which gives it a rich, luxurious texture. When baked, brioche rolls develop a soft, airy crumb and a golden, slightly sweet crust. These qualities make brioche the perfect base for a variety of savory and sweet additions.
The texture of brioche is what makes it so desirable for rolls—its light, soft interior makes it perfect for absorbing flavors, while the slight sweetness pairs beautifully with savory ingredients like sage and butter. These rolls are tender and melt-in-your-mouth, making them the ultimate comfort food to serve alongside any main course.
The Sage Honey Butter: A Flavorful Twist
What truly makes these brioche rolls stand out is the sage honey butter. The combination of butter and honey is nothing new, but the addition of fresh sage creates a wonderfully aromatic and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of the brioche.
The sage honey butter is made by frying fresh sage leaves until they’re crispy and then chopping them finely before mixing with softened butter and honey. The crisp, fried sage adds a burst of flavor that is both herbaceous and slightly smoky, which complements the sweet honey and rich butter. The result is a spreadable butter that infuses each bite of the brioche rolls with a unique depth of flavor.
The honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the savory taste of the sage, while the butter brings a creamy richness that helps to elevate the overall flavor profile. The sage honey butter is the perfect complement to the soft, fluffy brioche dough and provides a surprising and delightful twist to the classic bread roll.
The Method: Easy to Make, Impossible to Resist
Making Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls is surprisingly straightforward, especially when you use a stand mixer to bring the dough together. The process begins with mixing the dough ingredients—flour, yeast, salt, honey, eggs, and warm milk—until a smooth ball of dough forms. The dough needs to rest for a short time to allow it to relax and rise, and then it’s ready to be shaped.
After the dough has risen and the rolls have been shaped and placed in the baking dish, a final rise allows the rolls to puff up before baking. Once they’re in the oven, the rolls bake for 22 to 25 minutes, during which time they turn golden brown and develop a tender, fluffy interior.
While the rolls bake, you’ll make the sage honey butter and prepare for the final step—drizzling the rolls with the savory-sweet butter and finishing them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The result is a batch of rolls that are not only gorgeous to look at but also bursting with flavor.
Serving Suggestions: Versatile and Perfect for Any Occasion
These Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. While they are perfect as a side dish for holiday dinners or family meals, they can also be enjoyed as a comforting snack on their own. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes them an ideal accompaniment to everything from roasted meats to soups and salads.
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For Holiday Meals: These brioche rolls are a great addition to any festive meal. Serve them alongside roast turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib for a mouthwatering side that will elevate the entire meal.
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For Family Dinners: These rolls make a perfect side for any weeknight meal. Whether you’re serving pasta, stew, or grilled vegetables, the soft and fluffy texture of these rolls adds a comforting element to the meal.
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As a Snack or Appetizer: Warm up a few rolls and serve them as a snack or appetizer with a dollop of extra honey butter or your favorite dip. The combination of the crispy outside and fluffy inside makes them incredibly addictive.
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For Meal Prep: These rolls are great for meal prep! Make a batch in advance and store them in an airtight container. Simply warm them up in the oven when you’re ready to serve, and they’ll taste as fresh as when they were first baked.
A Sweet and Savory Balance
What makes these rolls so irresistible is the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The sweetness of the honey and the rich, creamy butter provides a comforting richness, while the fried sage adds an herbaceous, slightly smoky flavor that keeps the rolls from being overly sweet. The addition of flaky sea salt on top provides a finishing touch, giving each bite an extra layer of flavor that heightens the overall experience.
The combination of savory sage and sweet honey butter creates a complex flavor profile that works beautifully with the soft, tender texture of the brioche dough. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or as the star of your meal, these rolls are sure to impress everyone at the table.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Recipe for Bread Lovers
Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls are a must-try recipe for anyone who loves warm, fluffy, flavorful bread. The tender, rich brioche dough is perfectly complemented by the savory-sweet sage honey butter, making these rolls the ultimate comfort food. Whether served for a holiday feast or enjoyed as a comforting snack, they are sure to become a family favorite.
Easy to make and impossible to resist, these rolls are a delightful twist on traditional brioche. Their soft texture, golden color, and delicious flavor will make them the star of your next meal. So, the next time you’re in the mood for something comforting and delicious, give these rolls a try—you won’t regret it!