Brioche Loaves

Serves 12
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 40 min
Well worth the effort, this rich and buttery French egg bread is heavenly.

Ingredients

  • Dough

    • ½ cup (125 mL) homogenized milk, warmed
    • ¼ cup (60 mL) granulated sugar, divided
    • 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp/12 mL)
    • 4 eggs, at room temperature
    • 4 cups (1 L) all-purpose flour, divided
    • 1 ½ tsp (7.5 mL) salt
    • ¾ cup (175 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 12 cubes
  • Assembly

    • 1 egg
    • 1 tbsp (15 mL) milk

Instructions

  • Dough

    • Step 1

      In bowl of stand mixer, combine milk, 1 tsp (5 mL) sugar and yeast; let stand for 8 to 10 minutes or until foamy.

    • Step 2

      On low speed, beat in eggs, 1 cup (250 mL) flour, remaining sugar and salt until combined. Add remaining flour; beat on low to medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes or until dough comes away cleanly from side of bowl.

    • Step 3

      Beat in 1 cube of butter at a time, making sure each cube is incorporated before adding the next one; beat dough for about 5 minutes or satiny and glossy.

    • Step 4

      Transfer to greased bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

    • Step 5

      Let stand at room temperature for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until doubled in volume. Divide dough into 8 portions and roll into balls. Divide balls evenly between 2 greased 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pans. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap; let stand at room temperature until doubled in volume.

  • Assembly

    • Step 1

      Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Beat egg with milk; brush evenly over loaves. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and instant-read thermometer registers 190˚F (90˚C) when inserted in centre of dough. If loaves brown too quickly, tent with foil. Let cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; let cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving
Calories310
Fat14 g
Saturated Fat8 g
Trans Fat0 g
Carbohydrate37 g
Fibre1 g
Sugars5 g
Protein8 g
Sodium330 mg