How to Make Freshly Baked Brioche: A Step-By-Step Guide
Brioche is a rich, buttery bread that feels both fancy and comforting. It’s soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Making brioche at home may seem intimidating, but it’s simpler than you think! With some patience and basic ingredients, you can make freshly baked brioche that everyone will love. Let’s get started!
What Is Brioche?
Brioche is a type of French bread made with eggs, butter, flour, sugar, and yeast. It’s different from regular bread because the dough is enriched with extra eggs and butter, giving it a tender, fluffy texture and a slightly sweet taste. Brioche can be enjoyed plain, toasted with jam, or used in recipes like bread pudding or French toast.
The key to great brioche is allowing the dough to rest and rise properly, so give yourself plenty of time to prepare this recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For this recipe (makes 1 loaf), you’ll need:
– 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
– ¼ cup warm milk (around 110°F or 43°C)
– 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 3 large eggs (room temperature)
– 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
– 1 egg yolk (optional, for egg wash)
Tools You’ll Need:
- A large mixing bowl
- A stand mixer (optional, but helpful)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel
- Loaf pan or brioche mold
- Oven
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by activating the yeast. Warm your milk (it should be warm but not boiling) and mix it with the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and sugar mixture, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is alive and ready to work!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the flour and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture and two of the eggs. Start mixing the ingredients together until they form a rough dough.
If you’re using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and mix on low speed for about 3 minutes. If you’re doing this by hand, use a wooden spoon to mix, then knead the dough on a clean surface.
Step 3: Add the Butter
Now, it’s time to enrich the dough with butter. Gradually add small pieces of softened butter to the dough while kneading or mixing. Don’t rush—this step is important for creating the brioche’s tender texture. Keep mixing until all the butter is incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It should feel slightly sticky but not too wet.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Once your dough is ready, form it into a ball and place it into a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours. It should double in size.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
After the first rise, punch down the dough gently to remove air bubbles. Cover the bowl again and refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and develops its flavor. Don’t skip this step!
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Take the chilled dough out of the fridge. If you’re making a loaf, shape the dough into a rectangle and place it into a greased loaf pan. If you’re using a brioche mold, shape the dough into small balls and arrange them in the mold.
Cover the shaped dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for about 1 hour, or until it’s puffy.
Step 7: Apply Egg Wash
For that shiny, golden crust, mix 1 egg yolk with a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this over the top of the brioche dough carefully. This step is optional but highly recommended for a professional finish!
Step 8: Bake the Brioche
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the brioche for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Keep an eye on it in the last few minutes to avoid overcooking.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the brioche cool in its pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your freshly baked brioche plain, with butter, or as part of your favorite dish.
Tips for Success
- Be patient: Brioche requires time to rise and chill, but the results are worth it!
- Room temperature ingredients: Using eggs and butter that are at room temperature helps them incorporate smoothly into the dough.
- Use a stand mixer if possible: Brioche dough is sticky and can be tiring to knead by hand.
Making brioche at home is a rewarding experience. It fills your kitchen with the comforting smell of buttery bread and gives you a delicious treat to enjoy. While it does take time, the process is simple enough for beginners to follow. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and bake some fresh, fluffy brioche today!
