01/29/2022
Irresistible brioche to go with our irresistible Chokola Ayisyen
Let me know if you make this! You have to make it!
Joanne Chang’s FRENCH BRIOCHE
(Flour: a baker's collection of spectacular recipes brioche bread)
- 2¼ cups (315 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2¼ cups (340 grams) bread flour
- 3¼ teaspoons (11g) active dry yeast,
- ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon (82 grams) sugar
- 1 tablespoon (9g) kosher salt
- ½ cup (120 grams) cold water
- 6 eggs
- 2¾ sticks (310 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 10 to 12 pieces
In stand mixer with dough hook, combine dry ingredients, water, and 5 of the eggs. Beat on low speed for 5 minutes, or until all of the ingredients have come together. Dough will be stiff and dry.
Break dough into small pieces, add the butter in batches, mixing on low speed after each addition until butter is well incorporated into dough.
Continue mixing on low speed for 10-15 minutes
Once the butter is completely incorporated, turn up speed to medium and beat AGAIN for AN ADDITIONAL 15 minutes (I forgot to mention this in the video)
Dough will be soft but it will come together and eventually turn smooth and silky. The dough will make slapping sounds as it hits the sides of the bowl. And if your stand mixer is like mine, it will dance around the counter, so stay close by!
Transfer your dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let proof in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Divide dough in 3 equal portions and roll each out into an approximate 9" square. Shape as if you're folding a letter. Place each loaf in parchment paper and into loaf pan
Allow dough to rise and double, about 4-5 hours.
When ready, dough will be pillowy soft to the touch
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Whisk the remaining egg and apply to tops of loaves
Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the tops and the sides are golden brown.
Remove pans from oven and allow to cool in the pans for another 30 minutes - 1 hour.
Remove loaves from pans and allow to completely cool on a wire rack.