Teresa's Recipes
Classic French Brioches
Indulge in the decadence of classic French brioches, a rich and tender bread that embodies the elegance of French baking. With a buttery, flaky texture and a hint of sweetness, these delightful rolls are perfect for breakfast or as a luscious treat any time of the day. Historically, brioche dates back to the Middle Ages, evolving from simple bread to a luxurious staple served at festive occasions, symbolizing richness and hospitality. Serve them warm, slathered with jam or butter, or use them to create French toast for a delightful brunch.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup, warmed Milk
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 large, plus 1 yolk for brushing Eggs
- 1/2 cup, softened (plus extra for greasing) Unsalted butter
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 12
- Dish Type: Bread
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 25g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Sugar: 5g
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a saucepan until lukewarm (about 110°F or 43°C). Remove from heat and stir in the active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and the whole eggs. Mix until a dough begins to form.
- Incorporate the softened butter into the dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a greased muffin tin.
- Cover the muffin tin with a cloth and allow the dough balls to rise again until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, beat the reserved egg yolk and brush it over the tops of the brioches for a golden finish.
- Bake the brioches for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Let the brioches cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- For an added flavor twist, consider mixing in orange zest or vanilla extract into the dough.
- These brioches can be frozen after baking. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.