This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. We love home-baked sweet bread recipes, from Pumpkin Bread to Soda Bread. If you are a fan of homemade bread, this Brioche loaf is a must-try!
What is Brioche Bread?
Brioche is a lightly sweet yeast bread enriched with eggs and butter which give it a tender crumb. Brioche bread originated in France. A braided Brioche is as beautiful as it is delicious. It is our favorite for holidays like Easter Sunday along with other traditional Easter favorites like our Apricot Sweet Cheese Bread, Carrot Cake, and Hot Cross Buns.
Ingredients for Brioche
The key to making great brioche is to use room temperature ingredients. They incorporate better into the dough and will give the yeast a jump start.
Milk – 1%, 2% or whole milk Yeast – active dry yeast (use platinum yeast for best rise)3 eggs – large, room temperature Granulated sugar – use 1/2 cup for lightly sweet bread (use 1/4 cup for savory bread).Unsalted butter – should be melted and cooled (not hot)Salt – we use fine sea saltFlour – all-purpose, or bread flour will work.
Tips for Working with Yeast:
Yeast temperature – start with yeast that is at room temperature. If you keep yeast refrigerated, set it out for a bit before using. Platinum yeast offers the best rise. For 1 Tbsp yeast, you’ll need about 1 1/3 packets or 9 grams of active dry yeast. Milk temperature – warm your milk to the ideal yeast proofing temperature of 100-115˚F on a thermometer. Don’t make it hotter or you will deactivate the yeast. Dough not rising? Your room is probably too cold. Place the dough in a warm place to rise (100-110˚F). Preheat your oven to the lowest setting for 2 minutes then turn off and set your dough bowl over a towel in the warm oven and proof until doubled in volume (don’t forget to remove the towel). Also, try the microwave method we shared in our Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.Proof the yeast – be sure your yeast is bubbly and forms a foamy layer (takes about 10 minutes). If it does not proof or bubble up, do not proceed. You’ll need to get new un-expired yeast and start again.
How to Make Brioche Bread
How to Braid Bread (4 Strands)
This process is easy and if you’ve never made braided bread before, you will feel accomplished when you’re done. We found that 4 strands make a beautiful (and uncomplicated) braided bread. Pro Tip: Allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into it to complete the cooking process. Otherwise, it will release steam and the crumb can become gummy and dense.
Common Questions:
What to do with Brioche Bread?
Brioche is great for sweet and savory meals. We love brioche buns for our famous burgers, but it’s also great for:
Peanut Butter and Jelly SandwichesClassic French Toast French Toast CasseroleCaramel Bacon French ToastWith butter and honey (a personal favorite with a cup of hot coffee)
How to Store Bread
Storing: Once the bread has cooled to room temperature, store covered in plastic wrap at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Freezing: Allow loaf to come to room temperature then cover in several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for 1 to 3 months. Freezing fresh bread the day it is baked will give you the best taste and texture when thawed. Thawing: Thaw bread covered in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2-3 hours.To Reheat: Place loaf uncovered in a 350˚F oven for 10 minutes, or heat individual slices in the toaster.
More Bread Recipes
There’s nothing that compares to the sweet aroma of home-baked bread wafting through your house. If you love this classic Brioche bread, then you won’t want to miss these popular recipes:
Chocolate Babka Focaccia BreadFluffiest BiscuitsSoft Dinner RollsBanana Bread Recipe
