Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls Recipe

Warm Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls Recipe for Fall

Crafting salted sage honey butter brioche rolls brings magical moments to any kitchen gathering.

Fragrant sage leaves whisper culinary secrets into soft, pillowy dough.

Butter melts luxuriously, creating golden-edged perfection that beckons hungry souls.

Sweet honey adds unexpected depth to each tender bite.

Warm spices dance through delicate layers, promising comfort in every morsel.

Delightful aromas will float through your home, drawing everyone near the table.

Baking these rolls becomes a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss.

Why Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls Are So Good

  • Quick Prep Magic: Whip up these luxurious rolls in just over an hour with minimal complex steps, making gourmet baking accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
  • Flavor Explosion: Sage-infused honey butter creates an unexpected, sophisticated taste profile that transforms ordinary brioche into a restaurant-worthy experience, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for weekend brunches, holiday gatherings, or as an impressive side dish that appeals to both adults and children, these rolls guarantee smiles and second helpings around the table.
  • Sensory Comfort: Warm, golden-brown rolls with crispy sage leaves and a delicate honey-butter glaze offer a comforting, aromatic experience that fills the kitchen with irresistible bakery-like scents and textures.

What Goes Into Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls

Dough Ingredients:
  • Flour: Essential base for soft, tender brioche rolls with good structure.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Helps dough rise and develop rich flavor, best when fresh.
  • Salt: Enhances overall taste and controls yeast development.
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
  • Warm Milk, Eggs: Provide moisture, richness, and help bind ingredients together.
  • Butter: Creates tender, soft texture and adds luxurious flavor to brioche.
  • Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden brown color.
Sage Honey Butter Topping Ingredients:
  • Fresh Sage Leaves: Provides aromatic herbal flavor and crispy texture.
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for honey sage mixture.
  • Honey: Adds sweet complexity to butter mixture.
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Provides final flavor boost and textural contrast.
Additional Finishing Ingredients:
  • Egg Yolk: Used for golden egg wash on roll surface.

Honey Butter Brioche Roll Baking Instructions

Step 1: Mixing the Dough

In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt.

Pour in warm milk, honey, eggs, and butter.

Use the dough hook to blend everything together for 4-5 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and cohesive.

If the dough feels sticky, gradually add extra flour to achieve the right consistency.

Let the dough rest at room temperature for 15-60 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the yeast to work its magic.

Step 2: Creating Sage Honey Butter

Heat a skillet over medium flame.

Fry sage leaves in butter until they turn crispy and fragrant.

Remove the leaves and chop them finely.

In a small mixing bowl, combine:
  • Remaining butter
  • Honey
  • Chopped sage leaves
  • A pinch of sea salt

Blend the ingredients until they form a rich, aromatic spread.

Step 3: Shaping the Rolls

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

Gently deflate the rested dough and divide it into two equal portions.

On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12-inch square, aiming for a 1/4-inch thickness.

Generously brush the squares with the prepared sage honey butter, reserving some for later.

Slice each square into 6 strips.

Carefully roll each strip into a delicate coil and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Letting the Rolls Rise

Brush the shaped rolls with beaten egg yolk.

Cover the dish and allow the rolls to rise for 30 minutes, or until they become puffy and almost doubled in size.

Step 5: Baking and Finishing

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 22-25 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color.

Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately brush with the remaining sage honey butter.

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an extra touch of flavor.

Serve these heavenly rolls warm and enjoy the incredible blend of herbs, sweetness, and buttery goodness.

Holiday Dinner Rolls with Sage Butter Tips

Swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat or gluten-free flour blend for different dietary needs, ensuring the same delicious results.

Replace fresh sage with dried sage or other herbs like rosemary or thyme if fresh isn’t available, maintaining the aromatic flavor profile.

Keep the dough slightly sticky for softer, more tender rolls – resist adding too much flour during mixing.

Allow longer room temperature proofing for deeper flavor development, up to an hour instead of just 15 minutes.

Use high-quality unsalted butter for better control of salt content and richer taste in both dough and sage honey butter.

Chill Salted Sage Butter Brioche Rolls

  • Store leftover brioche rolls in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap them carefully to prevent drying out.
  • Place rolls in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 1 month to maintain best quality and texture.
  • Warm rolls at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss. Brush with extra sage honey butter before serving for renewed freshness.
  • Heat individual rolls for 10-15 seconds, but be cautious to avoid toughening the delicate brioche texture. Add a small damp paper towel to help retain moisture.

Tasty Matches for Honey Butter Brioche Rolls

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the sage's herbal notes and cuts through the richness of the buttery brioche.
  • Create Savory Cheese Plate: Assemble a selection of mild goat cheese, aged cheddar, and creamy brie to enhance the rolls' complex flavors and provide delightful texture contrasts.
  • Match with Roasted Chicken: Serve the sage honey butter brioche rolls alongside a herb-roasted chicken, letting the complementary sage flavors create a harmonious main course experience.
  • Enjoy with Butternut Squash Soup: Serve the warm rolls as a side to a velvety butternut squash soup, allowing the sweet and herbal elements to mingle beautifully on the palate.

Brioche Rolls Topping or Filling Variations

  • Gluten-Free Sage Honey Butter Rolls: Replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains soft texture.
  • Vegan Sage Honey Alternative Rolls: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, replace honey with maple syrup, and select dairy-free milk to create a completely plant-based adaptation.
  • Low-Carb Sage Butter Rolls: Use almond flour or coconut flour instead of traditional wheat flour, swap regular honey with a sugar-free sweetener, and reduce overall carbohydrate content for keto diet followers.
  • Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme instead of sage to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the original butter and honey base.

FAQs

  • Why use a stand mixer for this brioche recipe?

A stand mixer with a dough hook helps develop gluten and creates a smoother, more elastic dough with less manual kneading, ensuring the brioche has a soft, tender texture.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight. Just let it come to room temperature and rise before shaping and baking the rolls.

  • What if my dough is too sticky?

If the dough feels sticky, gradually add flour 1/4 cup at a time while mixing. The goal is a smooth, slightly tacky dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.

  • How do I know when the rolls are perfectly proofed?

The rolls are ready when they look puffy and have nearly doubled in size, typically after about 30 minutes of rising. They should look soft and slightly swollen before baking.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls Recipe

Salted Sage Honey Butter Brioche Rolls Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Rustic salted sage honey butter brioche rolls offer a delightful blend of herbaceous and sweet flavors that dance across your palate. Rich, golden-brown rolls emerge from the oven, promising a luxurious experience you’ll savor with each tender, aromatic bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 1/4 cups (780 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 3 whole eggs, at room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons (90 grams) salted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) warm milk
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast

Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 12 sage leaves
  • Flaky sea salt, for topping

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • 6 tablespoons (90 grams) salted butter, at room temperature (for sage honey butter)
  • 3 tablespoons honey (for sage honey butter)

Instructions

  1. Craft the foundational dough by combining dry ingredients in a stand mixer’s bowl, creating a smooth base for the brioche rolls.
  2. Integrate warm milk, honey, eggs, and butter into the flour mixture, using the dough hook to knead until a cohesive, silky texture emerges.
  3. Allow the dough to rest and develop at room temperature, enabling fermentation and flavor enhancement.
  4. Prepare the aromatic sage honey butter by gently frying sage leaves in butter until they become delicately crisp and fragrant.
  5. Blend the remaining butter with honey, chopped sage leaves, and a whisper of sea salt to create a luxurious, herbaceous spread.
  6. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking dish with parchment paper, setting the stage for golden, pillowy rolls.
  7. Deflate the rested dough and divide into two portions, rolling each into thin, expansive squares on a lightly floured surface.
  8. Generously coat the dough squares with the sage-infused honey butter, reserving some for the final glaze.
  9. Slice each square into six distinct strips, then elegantly coil each strip into a compact roll, nestling them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  10. Brush the rolls with beaten egg yolk to ensure a glossy, rich exterior during baking.
  11. Allow the rolls to rise and become puffy, developing their characteristic soft, airy texture.
  12. Bake until the rolls transform into a golden-brown masterpiece with enticing, crisp edges.
  13. Immediately after removing from the oven, lavish the rolls with the remaining sage honey butter.
  14. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt, elevating the rolls’ flavor profile and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Customize the dough’s hydration by adjusting flour gradually to achieve the perfect soft and pillowy texture for your brioche rolls.
  • Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a blend of gluten-free flour and xanthan gum for similar elastic properties.
  • Create a vegan alternative by replacing eggs with aquafaba and using plant-based butter to maintain the rich, tender crumb characteristic of brioche.
  • Enhance meal prep efficiency by preparing the sage honey butter and dough a day ahead, allowing the flavors to develop and saving time during final preparation.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star