Pain Au Lait

A staple of French boulangeries, the pain au lait is a study in humble perfection. The name, translating simply to "milk bread," belies its delightful character. These individual rolls are puffy, golden, and impossibly soft, their tops scored with a signature pattern that gives them the appearance of a plump, edible pirogue. While often crafted from leftover brioche dough, a dedicated pain au lait recipe distinguishes itself by leaning on a higher proportion of milk and a more modest amount of butter than its richer cousin, the classic brioche. This results in a subtly sweet, tender crumb that is less decadent but no less comforting. Yet, the true secret to its irresistible allure lies not in its ingredients, but in the oven: a remarkably short baking time. This quick, hot bake sets the structure without drying it out, creating a feather-light interior encased in a thin, delicately golden shell.