Authentic French Brioche: The Only Recipe You Need

“There is nothing quite like the aroma of fresh Brioche wafting through the kitchen on a Sunday morning.”

Brioche is the “haute couture” of the bread world. Hailing from France, this enriched bread sits perfectly between a loaf and a pastry. It’s famous for its high egg and butter content, which gives it that signature golden crumb and pillowy texture. Whether you’re serving it with a thick layer of strawberry jam, some sharp cheese, or turning it into the world’s best French Toast, this homemade version is miles ahead of anything you’ll find at the grocery store. Let’s get baking!

What You’ll Need

Instructions

1. The Dry Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, salt, and yeast until perfectly combined.
2. The Wet Mix: In another bowl, combine the eggs, warm milk, and sugar. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar begins to dissolve.
3. Bringing it Together: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry flour. Once it starts forming a dough, add your softened butter.
4. The Knead: This is the most important part! Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes. It will start sticky, but keep going until it’s silky, smooth, and elastic.
5. The Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it double in size (usually about 60 minutes in a warm spot).
6. Shaping: On a floured surface, divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll into rectangles and braid them or tuck them into a greased loaf pan. Let it rest for another 15 minutes.
7. The Golden Finish: Mix the coffee and milk, then brush it gently over the top. This gives it a professional, deep golden hue.
8. Bake: Slide into a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 40 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with foil.

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