Brioche Swirls with Cinnamon Pastry Cream and Vanilla Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

Soft, buttery brioche dough is filled with a rich cinnamon pastry cream, baked into swirls, and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze for a delightful dessert. This French-inspired recipe, ready in about 120 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup, warm (110°F) whole milk
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup pastry cream (prepared)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp whole milk (for glaze)

The stand mixer we’d knead this with → Best Stand Mixers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1/2 cup warm whole milk (110°F). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy and fragrant.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture, 3 large eggs, and 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, then cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread 1 cup prepared pastry cream evenly over the dough, then sprinkle 1 tbsp ground cinnamon on top.
4. Step 4: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal 1-inch thick swirls. Place swirls cut side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, leaving space between each.
5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
6. Step 6: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp whole milk until smooth. Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the warm swirls. Serve immediately.