These rolls strike the perfect balance between everyday bread and special occasion baking. They’re fancy enough to impress guests but simple enough to become a regular part of your baking routine.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Rolls

The foundation of great Mediterranean brioche rolls starts with quality ingredients. You’ll need all-purpose flour or bread flour for structure, active dry yeast for rise, eggs for richness, milk for tenderness, and a combination of butter and olive oil for that signature flavor profile.

The Mediterranean touch comes from extra virgin olive oil, which adds a subtle fruity note, and toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or nigella seeds. Fresh herbs can be kneaded into the dough or brushed on top before baking. The key is using room temperature ingredients, which helps the dough come together smoothly and rise properly.

The Dough-Making Process 🍞

Creating brioche dough requires patience, but the process is straightforward. Begin by activating your yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Once it’s foamy, combine it with flour, eggs, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Knead the dough for about ten minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Here’s where brioche differs from regular bread—you’ll gradually incorporate softened butter and olive oil into the dough. This takes time, as the fats need to be fully absorbed. Don’t rush this step. The dough will seem greasy at first but will eventually become silky and cohesive. A stand mixer with a dough hook makes this process much easier, though hand-kneading works perfectly well with some extra effort.

The First Rise and Shaping

After kneading, place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about two hours. The dough should double in size. This slow rise develops the flavor and creates that characteristic tender texture.

Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles. Divide it into equal portions—typically eight to twelve pieces depending on your preferred roll size. Shape each portion into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling it against your work surface with a cupped hand….