How Much Sugar Is in Brioche Bread, and What Can You Do About It?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to USDA data cited by Verywell Fit, a single 38-gram serving of commercially produced brioche bread typically contains around 3 grams of sugar. So, how much sugar is in brioche bread really depends on the specific recipe, preparation, and serving size.

Quick Summary

Brioche bread's sugar content varies by recipe, from mildly sweet to dessert-level. Commercial and enriched versions are typically higher, while homemade or savory versions allow for more control. The sugar helps with texture and flavor.

Key Points

Varying Content: The sugar in brioche bread varies significantly, from moderately sweet commercial products to custom homemade versions.
Enriched Dough: The sweetness and richness of brioche come from an enriched dough that includes eggs, butter, and sugar, in contrast to leaner breads.
Beyond Flavor: Sugar in brioche is not just for taste; it also feeds the yeast and helps create the signature tender, light texture.
Higher than Average: Brioche typically contains more sugar than standard white or whole wheat bread, which have very little added sugar.
Homemade Control: For lower sugar intake, homemade brioche allows you to easily reduce the sugar content, often by 10-15% at a time.
Savory Options: Choosing a recipe specifically designed for savory applications, like burger buns, is a straightforward way to consume brioche with less sugar.

What Makes Brioche Sweet?

Brioche's signature richness and mild sweetness come from its status as an 'enriched' bread. Unlike a standard lean dough made from just flour, water, yeast, and salt, an enriched dough includes additional ingredients like eggs, milk, butter, and sugar. These components, especially the high butter and egg content, create a bread with a soft, tender crumb and a distinctive golden hue. The sugar serves several purposes beyond just taste, including feeding the yeast and helping to create that desirable fluffy texture. Historically, early versions of brioche in 15th-century Normandy were often made with sourdough and did not contain sugar, which was added later as it became more available.

Typical Sugar Content: Commercial vs. Homemade Brioche

The amount of sugar in brioche bread is not fixed and can vary widely based on whether it's a commercial product or a homemade creation. Commercial producers often have a standardized recipe, while home bakers can experiment with ratios.

Commercial Brioche Nutrition Facts

Serving Size Variation: Be aware that nutritional information is often based on different serving sizes, from a single small bun to a larger slice.
Added Sugars: The sugar content in commercial brioche is from added sugar, not just the naturally occurring sugars in flour.
Typical Amounts: A 38-gram serving might have around 3 grams of sugar, while a 100-gram serving could contain closer to 8-12 grams.

Homemade Brioche Recipe Examples

Home bakers have full control over the ingredients, allowing for significant variation in sweetness. Some recipes are designed for sweet brioche for desserts, while others are made for more savory applications, like burger buns.

Sweet Brioche: A recipe designed for a sweet brioche might call for 3-8 tablespoons of sugar for a batch, or even more for a truly decadent loaf.
Savory Brioche: A recipe intended for savory use might call for as little as 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, enough to activate the yeast but not to produce a noticeable sweetness.

How Brioche's Sugar Content Compares to Other Breads

It is clear that brioche is a sweeter, richer bread than most common varieties. Here is a comparison based on typical nutritional data:

Brioche: A 100-gram portion of brioche can contain anywhere from 5.5 to 11.8 grams of sugar or more, depending on the recipe.
Standard White Bread: Typically contains very little added sugar, usually less than 2 grams per 100 grams. It's often just enough to feed the yeast.
Whole Wheat Bread: Even less, often less than 1 gram per 100 grams, and most of that is naturally occurring from the flour.

Comparison of Sugar Content in Brioche Bread


Type of Brioche	Sugar Content (Approximate per 100g)	Key Characteristics
Commercial Brioche (e.g., buns)	8-12 grams	Consistent, standardized recipe; often higher in sugar for shelf stability and taste.
Classic Homemade Brioche	5-8 grams	Based on a traditional French recipe; good balance of sweetness and richness.
Low-Sugar Homemade Brioche	2-4 grams	Adapted recipe with reduced sugar; ideal for savory dishes.
Dessert Brioche (e.g., with added fruit)	10-20+ grams	Includes candied fruits or pearl sugar for extra sweetness.

How to Reduce Sugar in Homemade Brioche

If you enjoy the rich texture of brioche but want to reduce the sugar, here are some actionable tips:

Cut Back Gradually: King Arthur Baking suggests cutting 10-15% of the sugar in a recipe at first, then adjusting further on subsequent bakes. This helps maintain the structure and flavor balance.
Use Flavor Enhancers: Counteract the lack of sweetness by adding naturally sweet spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg. A splash of vanilla or almond extract can also enhance the perception of sweetness.
Opt for a Savory Recipe: Use a recipe designed specifically for savory applications, like burger buns, which will already have a lower sugar content.
Try Sugar Substitutes (with caution): For very low-sugar versions, you can experiment with stevia or other sugar-free alternatives, though this may impact the yeast activity and texture.
Use Osmotolerant Yeast: If your recipe has more than 10% sugar, King Arthur Baking recommends using osmotolerant yeast (e.g., SAF Gold) to ensure the yeast remains active and the bread rises properly. You can find more information about this technique in their detailed blog post: How to reduce sugar in yeast bread.

Conclusion

While brioche is known for its sweet, buttery character, the amount of sugar can differ greatly. Commercial versions are generally higher, but home bakers have the freedom to control the ingredients. By understanding the role of sugar and using techniques like gradual reduction, adding spices, and opting for savory recipes, you can enjoy this versatile and delicious bread while managing your sugar intake. The soft, pillowy texture of brioche is achievable even with less sweetness, making it a bread that can be tailored to fit your dietary preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, brioche bread is considered higher in sugar than most standard breads due to its enriched dough recipe. However, the exact amount depends on whether it's commercially produced or homemade, and whether it's a sweet or savory variety.

Brioche has a significantly higher sugar content than regular white bread. While a typical 100g of white bread may have under 2g of sugar, a similar portion of brioche can have 5-12g or more, especially with commercial or dessert-oriented versions.

Yes, you can absolutely reduce the sugar in a homemade brioche recipe. A good starting point is to decrease the sugar by 10-15%, which will likely not have a major impact on the final texture or rise.

In addition to flavor, sugar serves several functions in brioche dough. It provides food for the yeast, which helps the bread rise properly, and it contributes to the tender, soft, and fluffy texture.

Yes, modern brioche recipes contain added sugar, but the quantity varies widely. Interestingly, the earliest forms of brioche from the Middle Ages did not contain sugar, which was added later as a sign of richness.

Not necessarily, but commercial brioche often has a consistent, moderate amount of added sugar. Homemade brioche can range from very low-sugar (for savory buns) to extremely high-sugar (for sweet dessert breads) depending on the recipe the baker uses.

To make a low-sugar brioche, you can use less sugar and enhance the flavor with spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Using quality ingredients, including butter and eggs, also naturally adds richness and depth of flavor without extra sugar.