The brioche is a type of bread that originated in France and uses a high content of butter and eggs which give it a tender but rich crumb. Often eaten as a snack, the brioche bread is also used as an ingredient in savory dishes or as part of a dessert. So, how about preparing brioche at home? In order to make an authentic brioche, you need certain utensils and ingredients. The process is straightforward and the end result is really spectacular. Read on to learn how to make a fresh batch of brioche bread to treat the guests at breakfast.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time Required: 3-4 hours
Resources Required:
- 660 gms flour
- 8 eggs
- 16 gms salt
- 70 gms sugar
- 17 gms active dry yeast
- 70 ml luke warm water
- 440 gms butter at room temperature
- One egg yolk mixed with 2 table spoons of milk
- 50 gms flour for dusting
- 1 free standing mixer with dough hook attachment
- 1 brush
- Bowls
- Tea towel
- Brioche moulds or muffin tins, buttered and floured
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dough
- Attach the dough hook onto the free standing mixer and add the flour into the bowl.
- Follow with the eggs one-by-one and then the salt and sugar. Keeping the speed on low, mix all the ingredients together till they get well combined.
- Add water and yeast and continue mixing.
- Now, slowly start adding the butter, mixing continuously. Make sure you do not add all the butter at once as it could separate and ruin the dough.
- Once all the butter has been used up, continue mixing on low speed for another 20 minutes or so till the dough is no longer sticky. It should be smooth and elastic in consistency.
- Stop the mixer, clean the dough from the hook and transfer it to a large, deep bowl which has been lightly greased with oil.
- Cover the dough with a plastic wrap or tea towel and leave it aside for about 2 hours to rise in volume.
- Once it has doubled in volume, punch it down to deflate and then cover again. This time, place it in the refrigerator to chill, preferably over night
2. Make the brioche
- Pre heat the oven to 200C.
- Sprinkle your work top with flour and place the dough on it.
- Pinch off a small amount from the dough and roll it in some flour.
- Using your hands, make the dough into balls and place them inside the moulds.
- If you are using a loaf pan, then make the dough into a log shape and place inside the tin, pressing the dough to fit into the corners.
- Cover with tea towel and leave it to rise for another 2 more hours.
3. Baking and serving
- Just before placing the brioche bread into the oven, brush the tops with the egg and milk mix.
- Use the brush to lightly dab some of the glaze on to the brioche, but make sure you don’t touch the moulds.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 12 minutes for the brioche moulds and about 25 minutes for the loaves.
- Once the tops turn into a nice golden brown color, remove them from the oven.
- Place them on the cooling rack for about 5 minutes and then carefully invert the moulds to release the brioche.
- Serve with some jam or butter with a cup of tea.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there any other way to mix the dough for the brioche other than a free standing mixer?
Yes, you can use a large size food processor to do the same. Mix the yeast with the bit of sugar and water and keep aside to bubble for about 10 minutes. Into the food processor, add the remaining sugar, butter and flour and beat till you get a crumbly mixture. Add the bubbly yeast mix and pulse a couple of times till everything comes together. Turn the food processor on and then add the eggs through the pusher, mixing well after each addition. After adding the last egg, turn off the processor after about 20 seconds. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and continue the steps mentioned above for rising.
Quick Tips:
- When you leave the dough to rise, make sure you don’t keep it in too warm a place as the butter would melt and start leaking through the dough.
- It is advisable not to use your hands to knead this dough as it is very sticky.
Things To Watch Out For:
Over baking the brioche can cause it to crack and even make it dry.
