Brioche col Tuppo: The Soul of a Sicilian Morning

Brioche col Tuppo literally “brioche with a bun on top” is more than just a pastry in Sicily. It’s a bite of tradition: soft, golden, gently sweet, and shaped like a woman’s chignon (Tuppo). French in origin but entirely Sicilian in spirit, this bun is scented with citrus zest, kissed with honey, and in its old-school form, tender with lard.

The story goes back to the 18th or 19th century, when French influence met local flavor in Southern Italy. But Sicily didn’t just adopt it, they transformed it. Over time, brioche col Tuppo became a summer ritual, especially in Palermo, Catania, and Messina. And always with one iconic companion: granita.

If you’ve ever spent a summer morning in Sicily, you know breakfast isn’t just a meal, it’s a mood. You sit in a café, warm air brushing your skin. Chilled almond or lemon granita melts on your tongue. Your hands pull apart a warm, buttery brioche. Maybe there’s a dollop of whipped cream sliding under the sun. It’s indulgent. Comforting. Unforgettable.

The old recipe has a slower rhythm than today’s versions. It relied on natural yeast or sourdough, often proofed overnight. The fat? Not just butter lard. Orange zest, marsala wine, maybe a splash of orange blossom water gave it depth. And it was never overly sweet. Just balanced.

Recreating it at home changed how I do breakfast. The dough is soft. The smell? Unreal. Tear it open and warm steam escapes like a secret. I love it with coffee. Sometimes jam. And when I want that true Sicilian feeling. I scoop in some granita or gelato. It’s not just bread. It’s Sicily, right there on your plate.

Brioche Col Tuppo (Sicilian Brioche)
Bring Sicily to Your Kitchen: How to Make Authentic Brioche col Tuppo
There’s nothing quite like waking up in Sicily. The air is warm, the streets smell faintly of espresso and orange blossoms, and breakfast feels like something sacred not rushed, but savored. At the heart of it? A golden, pillowy brioche col Tuppo, still warm from the oven, with a glass of almond granita or a scoop of creamy gelato slowly melting next to it.
These beautiful buns, crowned with their little topknot (tuppo), aren’t just pastries. They’re part of the island’s soul a bite of history, tradition, and everyday joy.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 6 hours
Servings: 12 brioches
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1½ tsp active dry yeast (or 0.5 oz fresh yeast)
  • 3 whole eggs, room temperature
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
Egg Wash
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tbsp milk

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook

Instructions
 

  1. Activate the Yeast: Warm the milk (not hot, ~35°C / 95°F). Dissolve yeast and honey in it. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the Dough: In the stand mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, citrus zest, and vanilla. Add eggs and yolk, then start mixing on low speed.
    Slowly add the milk/yeast mixture.
    Mix until the dough starts forming.
    Add softened butter in pieces, one at a time. Let each incorporate.
    Add the salt last and continue kneading until smooth and elastic (10–15 min total).
  3. Dough should be soft, slightly sticky, and elastic. Do the “windowpane test” to check gluten development.
  4. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl.
    Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled — about 2–3 hours.
  5. Shape the Brioches: Shape the Brioches: Divide the dough into 12 large pieces, cut 80g for the base and 20g for tops
    Set aside 12 small top pieces
    Shape the large pieces into smooth balls. Place them on parchment-lined trays, spaced apart.
    Shape the small “tuppo." (top knots) into little balls.
    Press your finger into the top center of each larger bun and gently place the tuppo side half tucked inside.
  6. Second Rise: Cover loosely and let rise again for 1.5–2 hours, until noticeably puffy.
  7. Egg Wash & Bake: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Mix egg yolk and milk. Brush each brioche gently.
    Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  8. Cool: Cool on wire racks. Enjoy warm or room temperature.

Notes

Use a stand mixer: Brioche dough is quite sticky and enriched, so a mixer with a dough hook makes kneading much easier and helps develop the dough’s elasticity. If kneading by hand, be prepared for a bit of a workout!
Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the dough come together smoothly and rise properly.
Be patient with rising times: Brioche dough needs time to develop flavor and texture. Don’t rush the first and second rises; a slow, steady rise will yield a softer, more fragrant brioche.
Check your yeast: Use fresh yeast or active dry yeast that’s not expired for the best rise. If you see no bubbles or foam after activating your yeast in warm milk, it might be time to get new yeast.
Shaping the tuppo: When shaping the top knot (“tuppo”), keep the smaller dough ball smooth and gently press it onto the larger brioche base. This classic shape is what makes these brioches unique and charming.
Baking: Keep an eye on your brioches as oven temperatures can vary. They’re done when golden brown and sound hollow when tapped underneath.

Serving Brioche col Tuppo

Authentic Brioche col Tuppo

The dough is rich yet pillowy, infused with fresh lemon and orange zest, a splash of vanilla, and just a hint of honey to round out the flavor. The result? A warm, fragrant bun that’s perfect for dunking, slicing, or savoring on its own. There’s something truly special about enjoying Brioche col Tuppo fresh and warm, especially when paired with the classic Sicilian treat: granita.

Whether you choose almond, lemon, or coffee granita, the icy, refreshing texture perfectly balances the soft, buttery sweetness of the brioche. For me, this combination is pure magic If you want to indulge a little more, try slicing the brioche and filling it with creamy, luscious gelato. It’s an irresistible way to enjoy a cool dessert or an elevated breakfast treat. And if you’re craving something quick and comforting, a swipe of fresh butter and your favorite jam alongside a strong espresso will do the trick beauti

Storage

To keep your homemade Brioche col Tuppo soft and delicious, it’s best to store them properly. Once cooled completely, place the brioches in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tender for up to 2 days, perfect for enjoying over a couple of mornings. Avoid refrigerating brioche, as this can dry them out quickly and affect the texture.

You can absolutely freeze brioche col tuppo, and it’s a great way to preserve their soft, buttery texture for later enjoyment. Once baked, allow the brioche to cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat them, simply thaw at room temperature and warm in a low oven for a few minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

Alternatively, you can freeze the shaped, unbaked dough after the first rise, just freeze on a tray, transfer to a freezer bag once solid, and when ready to bake, let them thaw and rise again before baking as usual. While freezing unbaked dough works, freezing the baked buns tends to give better results in terms of texture and flavor.