Delicious French Brioche

How to make delicious French Brioche bread at home, easy step by step instructions, from start to finish.

Ingredients

Method

  • 500g / 17½oz Strong white bread flour
  • 5 Medium eggs(cold)  weight without shells 250g / 9oz
  • 250g / 9oz Cold butter
  • 7g / 2tsp instant or active dried yeast; if using fresh yeast; 20g
  • 30g / 1oz Granulated sugar
  • 8g / 1tsp Salt
  • Egg wash
  • Various toppings
  • For this recipe you will need a stand mixer.
  • Before starting the recipe I should say this first stage on making the Brioche really has to be done the day before and kept in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Start by adding the cold eggs to the mixer bowl followed by the sugar and the yeast, and mix those together.
  • Next add the salt to the flour and mix it in.
  • Start the machine on it’s slowest setting and add the flour a little at a time.
  • Once a pretty stiff dough has been established add the diced cold butter a little at a time.
  • Once all the ingredients have fully combined, switch the next speed up on your machine and mix the dough until it starts to release from the sides of the bowl, this usually takes between 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Once the dough has reached this stage turn it out onto a floured surface, roll it into a ball and place it into an oiled bowl, cover it and allow it to relax for 30 minutes.
  • After the 30 minutes knock the dough back again place it back in the bowl with the cover and place it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
  • Next day you turn out the dough knock it back, try to handle the cold dough as little as possible.
  • Shape the dough into whatever shapes you like (see the video for examples) and place them on greased baking trays
  • Once you have you shapes dust with flour and allow to rise at room temperature for at least 45 minutes until the shapes have doubled in size, this time may vary on the temperature of your kitchen, but no less than 45 minutes..
  • When there’s only 10 minutes left on the timer: preheat your oven to 170°C / 340°F or gas mark 4.
  • After the rise brush all of your chosen shapes with egg wash, made up from 1 egg and a small amount of milk.
  • Add whatever topping you like i.e. sugar, seeds, etc. See the video for examples.
  • Place the shapes in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven when golden brown, and transfer the shapes to a wire rack and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
  • Enjoy.

Equipment & products used in my kitchen