updated on Bread

Brioche Bread

Brioche bread is a rich and tender bread originating from France. Known for its high egg and butter content, it has a soft, flaky texture and a golden-brown crust. The combination of ingredients gives brioche a slightly sweet flavor, and it’s often used in both savory dishes, like sandwiches, and sweet treats, such as French toast or pastries.

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Brioche Bread

  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sponge

  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 cup all purpose flour

Dough

  • 6 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 8 Tbsp granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks, room temperature)

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer bowl, add the warm milk and yeast, then wait 5 minutes until foamy and mix in 1 cup of flour. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. Take the eggs and butter are out of the refrigerator and cut the sticks of butter into 1 Tbsp size pieces. Grease two 9″x5″ pans with butter.
  3. Add the eggs to  the bowl, then the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix on medium-low until combined, then increase the speed until the dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.
  4. Keep the mixer running and add in the butter 1 Tbsp at a time. Wait until each piece of butter is fully mixed into the dough before adding the next piece.
  5. Continue mixing on medium speed for another 7 minutes, then cover the bowl and let it rise for 1 hour, or until double in size.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and punch it down.
  7. Divide the dough into twelve equal parts.
  8. For each piece of dough, flatten into a rectangle and fold in thirds (like a letter), then flatten again and roll into a tight long from the short end. Stretch out each log so that they are roughly the width of the bread pan.
  9. Place six logs of dough, smooth side up, into each bread pan, making sure each log is about the same width as the pan.
  10. Cover the bread pans and let the dough rise for 1-1.5 hours. Preheat oven  to 375°F.
  11. To make the egg wash, whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp of milk. Brush the egg wash over the loaves.
  12. Bake for 30 minutes on the bottom rack. Remove from bread pans and place loaves on a cooling rack.

Notes

If shaping into buns, bake for slightly less time, 20-25 minutes.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Rise Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

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The process of making brioche is more complex than regular bread. It involves kneading the dough with softened butter, allowing it to rise multiple times, and then shaping it. This process can take several hours and requires careful attention to timing and temperature. Bakers often utilize a stand mixer with a dough hook to adequately combine the ingredients, due to the dough’s high fat content.

Brioche can be found in various forms, including loaves, buns, or braided shapes. Some variations may include additional flavorings like chocolate, fruits, or nuts. The bread’s rich flavor and unique texture have made it a staple in both traditional and modern culinary applications, embodying elegance and indulgence in the world of baking.

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