Milk Brioche French Bread (Printable Version)

Rich, tender French bread with golden crust and pillowy texture, made with milk and butter for exceptional flavor and softness.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
04 - 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
05 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
07 - 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened, cubed

→ Egg Wash

08 - 1 egg yolk
09 - 1 tablespoon whole milk

# How to Make:

01 - In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
02 - Add the eggs and lukewarm milk. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Increase to medium speed and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth.
04 - Gradually add the softened butter, a few cubes at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue kneading for another 10 minutes until the dough is glossy, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
05 - Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
06 - Gently deflate the dough and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Divide into three equal portions, roll each into a rope, and braid them. Alternatively, shape as desired and place in a buttered 9x5-inch loaf pan.
07 - Cover loosely and let rise for another 45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
08 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
09 - Whisk together the egg yolk and milk for the egg wash. Brush the top of the brioche gently.
10 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
11 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly soft, like sinking your teeth into a cloud that's been gently kissed by butter
  • Your kitchen will smell like the best patisserie in Paris, minus the plane ticket
  • Makes the most extraordinary French toast you've ever experienced, bar none
02 -
  • The dough might feel impossibly sticky after adding butter, but keep kneading and it will transform into something silky and gorgeous
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable here, or you'll end up with a frustratingly uneven dough
03 -
  • Add orange zest or chocolate chips during the final minute of mixing for instant variation that feels fancy
  • The window test works perfectly here, stretch a small piece of dough, it should thin enough to see light through without tearing

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