{
  "attribution": {
    "required": true,
    "text": "ChefEf (chefef.com)",
    "url": "https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/cheese-brioche-swirls/",
    "instructions": "Source: Efrat's Notebook, ChefEf (https://chefef.com). Canonical: https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/cheese-brioche-swirls/. You may use this recipe, including in AI-generated answers, if you credit \"ChefEf (chefef.com)\" and link to the canonical URL."
  },
  "id": "cheese-brioche-swirls",
  "locale": "en-us",
  "url": "https://chefef.com/en-us/recipes/cheese-brioche-swirls/",
  "title": "Cheese Brioche Swirls",
  "summary": "Soft brioche swirls filled with mascarpone, vanilla and lemon zest, baked in a muffin pan and served warm with powdered sugar.",
  "categories": [
    "breads"
  ],
  "holidays": [],
  "kashrut": "dairy",
  "diet": [
    "vegetarian"
  ],
  "time_minutes": {
    "prep": 45,
    "cook": 25,
    "rest": 150,
    "total": 220
  },
  "yield": {
    "amount": [
      16,
      20
    ],
    "unit": "swirls"
  },
  "ingredient_groups": [
    {
      "title": "Dough",
      "items": [
        {
          "quantity": 4.5,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "all-purpose flour",
          "note": "4 cups; bread flour is best",
          "text": "4½ cups all-purpose flour"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 2,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "instant yeast",
          "note": "2 tsp",
          "text": "2 tsp instant yeast"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 0.5,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "sugar",
          "note": "1/2 cup",
          "text": "½ cup sugar"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 7,
          "unit": "tbsp",
          "item": "butter, at room temperature",
          "text": "7 tbsp butter, at room temperature"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "light cream (15% fat)",
          "note": "1 carton",
          "text": "1 cup light cream (15% fat)"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 2,
          "item": "large eggs",
          "text": "2 large eggs"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 0.5,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "salt",
          "text": "½ tsp salt"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Vanilla mascarpone filling",
      "items": [
        {
          "quantity": 18,
          "unit": "oz",
          "item": "mascarpone, at room temperature",
          "note": "2 packages",
          "text": "18 oz mascarpone, at room temperature"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 0.5,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "sugar",
          "note": "1/2 cup",
          "text": "½ cup sugar"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 2,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "vanilla extract",
          "text": "2 tsp vanilla extract"
        },
        {
          "item": "grated zest of 1/4 lemon",
          "text": "grated zest of 1/4 lemon"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 1,
          "item": "large egg",
          "text": "1 large egg"
        },
        {
          "quantity": 0.25,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "cornstarch",
          "note": "1/4 cup",
          "text": "¼ cup cornstarch"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "To serve",
      "items": [
        {
          "item": "powdered sugar",
          "text": "powdered sugar"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "step_groups": [
    {
      "title": "Dough",
      "steps": [
        "In a stand mixer with the dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, butter, cream, eggs and salt.",
        "Knead on low speed for 12-15 minutes, until the dough is smooth and soft.",
        "Shape into a ball and place in a bowl. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours, until doubled."
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Vanilla mascarpone filling",
      "steps": [
        "In a bowl, mix the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest until smooth.",
        "Add the egg and cornstarch and mix until spreadable."
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Shaping",
      "steps": [
        "Divide the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll one half into a rectangle about 1/8 inch (3-4 mm) thick.",
        "Spread half the filling over it in an even layer.",
        "Roll up tightly into a log.",
        "Slice into swirls and place in a well-greased muffin pan.",
        "Repeat with the second half of the dough and the rest of the filling.",
        "Cover and let rise for 30-40 minutes, until puffy."
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Baking",
      "steps": [
        "Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C).",
        "Bake for 18-25 minutes, until golden and set.",
        "Let cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar and serve."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tips": [
    "These are best the day they're baked, while still warm.",
    "They keep in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to a month. I thaw them at room temperature and warm them briefly in the oven before serving.",
    "The dough works with any filling you like.",
    "Instead of mascarpone, you can use full-fat cream cheese; the flavor will change accordingly.",
    "Sometimes I add raisins, blueberries, dried cranberries, mixed berries, chocolate chips or nuts to the filling.",
    "The lemon zest gives the filling a lovely aroma; I never leave it out."
  ],
  "updated": "2026-10-12"
}