To start, bloom your yeast. Mix your active dry yeast, sugar, and warm milk together and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy on top.
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110 ℉ (43 ℃), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tsp granulated white sugar (to bloom the yeast)
Next, in a large bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix the flour, salt and brown sugar together.
4 3/4 cups (593 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp (28 g) dark brown sugar
Add the vanilla extract to a small ramekin. Sprinkle in the espresso powder and mix until dissolved.
1 tbsp vanilla extract, 1 1/2 tbsp (6 g) instant espresso powder
To the dry ingredients add the whisked eggs, softened butter, and vanilla espresso mixture and mix.
2 eggs, whisked, 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened
Add in the yeast mixture and mix until everything is blended. Switch to a dough hook and knead on medium speed for 7-10 minutes until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl, forms a ball and springs back when pressed.
Form the dough into a ball. Place the dough in a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and place in a warm place to rise, (outside or a cold oven with the light on works well for this), for 1- 1 ½ hours, or until the dough doubles in size.