Best Brioche Recipes

EASY BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Tear bread into 1-inch pieces and place in an 8-inch square baking dish. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with pecans and raisins.
• Whisk milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until combined and pour over bread mixture in the baking dish. Press gently on the bread until saturated. Let sit for a few minutes.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until top is puffed but set, about 40 minutes. Pudding will settle back down as it cools.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour sugar and salt. Make a well in center of the bowl and mix in the eggs and yeast mixture. Beat well until the dough has pulled together, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes.
• Flatten the dough and spread it with one third of the butter. Knead this well. Repeat this twice to incorporate the remaining butter. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes between additions of butter. This process may take 20 minutes or so. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. It needs time to chill in order to become more workable.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces, form into loaves and place into prepared pans. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in volume, about 60 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans (see Cook's Note to make rolls). Beat the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water to make a glaze.
• Brush the loaves or rolls with the egg wash. Bake in preheated oven until a deep golden brown. Start checking the loaves for doneness after 25 minutes, and rolls at 10 minutes. Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to wire racks to cool completely.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook. Add the salt to one side and sugar to the other. Pour in the yeast to the side with the sugar. Mix each side into the flour with your hands, then mix it all together with the dough hook.
• Heat the milk until warm to the touch, but not hot. Mix into the flour mix until combined. With the dough hook on medium, gradually add the eggs and mix for 10 mins.
• Gradually add the softened butter, one or two cubes at a time, until combined. This will take 5-8 mins. Scrape down the sides, the dough will be very soft.
• Scrape the dough into a large bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave for 1 hr 30 mins-2 hrs until doubled in size and well-risen. Once risen, put in the fridge for 1 hr.
• Line the bottom and sides of a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Portion the dough into seven equal pieces (the easiest way to do this accurately is to weigh it). Lightly dust a work surface with flour, take a piece of dough and pull each corner into the middle to form a circular shape. With a bit of pressure, push down and roll into ball. Repeat with the six remaining pieces.
• Put the balls into the tin, four on one side and three in the gaps on the other side. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 30-35 mins until almost doubled in size. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly brush the dough with the egg wash and bake for 30-35 mins until golden and risen. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 mins, then remove and cool completely.

VANILLA BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Space two racks evenly in the oven.
• Cut five 3/4-inch-thick slices of brioche and place them in one layer on a sheet pan. Trim some of the crusts from the remaining brioche and cut in 1-inch dice. Spread out on a second sheet pan. Put both pans in the oven for 5 minutes to lightly toast the bread.
• Meanwhile, for the custard, whisk together the whole eggs, yolks, half-and-half, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla and vanilla seeds in a large bowl and set aside. Line a 3-quart baking dish with the whole slices of brioche, cutting them to fit in one layer. Distribute the diced brioche on top. Pour on the custard and press lightly so all the bread is soaked with custard. Set aside for 10 minutes.
• Place the dish in a roasting pan large enough to allow the baking dish to sit flat. Pour about 1 inch of the hottest tap water into the roasting pan, being sure not to get any water into the custard. Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil, tenting the foil so it doesn't touch the pudding. Cut a few holes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm with the melted ice cream.

MUSHROOM, LEEK, AND BRIOCHE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish. Place cubed bread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until slightly dry, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Raise oven temperature to 350°F. In a large sauté pan over high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms have released their liquid and start to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Scrape into a medium bowl and set aside, reserving pan.
• Return pan to medium heat and melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add fennel and rosemary, and cook until fennel softens and starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add leeks and cook until all the vegetables are very soft, about 5 minutes more. Return mushrooms to pan, add broth, and bring to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer vegetables to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Add cubed bread and eggs and toss until mixture is combined.
• Transfer bread mixture to baking dish. Bake in the center of the oven until golden brown and slightly puffed, 35 to 40 minutes (add 10 minutes if the dish has been refrigerated). Top with parsley and serve immediately.

BEST BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Whisk milk, eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, dip each slice of brioche bread in the egg mixture and cook in the hot butter until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side, adding more butter as needed. Transfer French toast to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Cook and stir 1/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium-low heat until browned and toasty, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer browned butter to a cold dish. Drizzle browned butter over baked French toast and top each slice with 1 tablespoon maple syrup.

BREAD MACHINE BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Add all ingredients except the butter to your bread machine in the order suggested by manufacturer and process on the basic bread cycle.
• Cut the butter into tablespoon size pieces.
• About 10 minutes before the end of your first kneading cycle, begin adding the butter, 1 tablespoon each minute.
• Do not rush it.
• Let the machine continue its process.
• After bread is baked and at the end of the entire cycle, let the brioche cool in the OPENED machine about 20 minutes.
• This will keep the sides firm while the center stays moist.

BANANA BRIOCHE MONKEY BREAD WITH MOLOKO MILK STOUT BUTTERSCOTCH AND SMOKED ALMOND TOFFEE BRITTLE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat milk until just warmed through. Transfer to a large bowl and add yeast; stir to combine. Let stand 1 minute until yeast is dissolved. Add 2 eggs and whisk to combine. Add 3/4 cups flour and mix until well combined. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup flour over top of mixture; cover with plastic wrap and let dough stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Transfer dough to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Add remaining 5 eggs, granulated sugar, remaining 4 1/3 cups flour, and honey. With the mixer on low, add salt. Mix until dough forms a ball, adding more flour if necessary. Increase speed to medium and mix for about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add butter; mix until fully incorporated.
• Lightly coat a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray and transfer dough to prepared bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours. Punch dough down and cover again with plastic wrap. Transfer to refrigerator until ready to use, up to 1 week.
• In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups butterscotch and pureed bananas. Lightly coat twelve 1-cup ovenproof dishes or ramekins with melted butter; set dishes on a large rimmed baking sheet. Place one tablespoon butterscotch in the bottom of each baking dish. Sprinkle some of the toffee over the butterscotch; set aside.
• Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (about 5-ounces each). Working with 1 piece at a time, roll into a 6-inch-long rope using your hands. Cut rope into 8 equal pieces; add to bowl with butterscotch mixture and toss to coat. Transfer dough pieces to a prepared baking dish; repeat process with remaining pieces of dough. Sprinkle each baking dish filled with dough with more toffee. Cover baking dishes with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until spongy, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a small bowl, mix together granulated cane sugar and cinnamon. Brush tops of dough with butterscotch mixture and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar; top with remaining chopped toffee. Transfer to oven and bake, rotating halfway through baking, until golden and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with large toffee pieces. Serve immediately with remaining butterscotch, for dipping.

BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x12-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spread bread cubes on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, stirring once or twice, until toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Whisk eggs, sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl until blended.
• Bring cream and half-and-half to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Pour some of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking quickly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Continue adding cream mixture slowly and whisking until all has been added. Whisk in vanilla extract and set custard aside to cool.
• Combine brown sugar and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Whisk in rum, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add bananas and toss just until coated. Remove from heat.
• Toss 1/3 of the toasted bread in the prepared baking dish and top with 1/2 of the banana-syrup mixture. Layer with 1/2 of the remaining bread, the remaining banana-syrup mixture, and the remaining bread. Pour custard over the top and allow pudding to stand for 30 minutes, pressing down on the bread occasionally so it absorbs the custard.
• Cover bread pudding with aluminum foil and place the baking dish inside a large baking pan. Fill the large pan with warm water so it reaches halfway up the sides of the pudding dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until pudding has puffed up and the center is set, about 45 minutes longer. Remove from the water bath and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour powdered sugar evenly into a heavy saucepan. Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt and caramelize on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir until all sugar is melted and smooth. Add 1 cup cream, rum, and salt; stir until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cream. Remove from heat and stir in butter until caramel sauce is smooth. Serve with bread pudding.

BRIOCHE LOAF ( BREADMAKER 1 1/2 LB. LOAF)

Steps:

• Measure all ingredients into bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
• Process on sweet or basic/white bread cycle; use light or medium/normal crust color setting.
• Remove bread from pan; cool on wire rack.

BRIOCHE LOAVES

Steps:

• Place lukewarm milk and yeast in a small bowl; stir to dissolve.
• Place flour, salt, and eggs in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment; add yeast mixture and mix on low speed to combine and knead, about 5 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl with a spatula; knead on medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugar. Add a few small pieces of butter mixture to dough; with the mixer on low, add remaining butter mixture, a little bit at a time. When all the butter mixture has been added, increase speed and continue mixing until smooth, shiny, comes away from the sides of the bowl, and is elastic, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Butter a large bowl, transfer dough to prepared bowl, and cover with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
• Lift dough from bowl and drop back into bowl to deflate; repeat process once or twice. Cover bowl and transfer to refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Butter two loaf pans whose bases measure 8 1/2-by-4 1/2 inches on top and 7 1/2-by-3 1/2 inches at base. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Divide each piece into 8 equal pieces; form each piece into a ball. Place 8 balls of dough in each loaf pan, side by side.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and remaining 1 tablespoon milk. Brush dough with egg yolk mixture, reserving remaining. Spray two pieces of plastic wrap with nonstick cooking spray; cover dough in both pans, cooking spray-side down, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat a convection oven to 400 degrees (425 degrees on a conventional oven).
• Brush each loaf very lightly with reserved egg yolk mixture. Transfer pans to oven and bake until brioche just begins to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees (on a convection oven; 375 degrees on a conventional oven) and continue baking until deep golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 205 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 20 to 25 minutes more.
• Remove from oven and let brioche cool in pans for 5 minutes. Unmold onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

BRIOCHE AND BERRY BREAD PUDDING WITH LEMON FONDANT

Steps:

• Butter and sugar 6 (6-ounce) ramekins.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and sugar. Combine well with a whisk - then let it settle so there are no air bubbles on the surface otherwise these will cause lumps in your anglaise.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Tear the brioche up into large pieces using your hands, add to the custard mixture and toss to combine. Equally divide the berries among the ramekins and top with the bread mixture. Gently press down so they are packed evenly. Sprinkle with more sugar, then refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to let soak.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the center of the oven. The pudding is ready when it has puffed up and the custard is set. The top should be a nice golden color. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
• Make the fondant. In a mixing bowl combine sifted powdered sugar, water, lemon zest and juice.
• Once the pudding has cooled slightly, invert onto an individual serving plate. Drizzle the lemon fondant over warm bread pudding and serve with extra fresh berries.

VANILLA BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING WITH PEACH SUZETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the bread pudding: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with butter. Add the cubed bread.
• In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter.
• In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, raisins, condensed milk, sugar, and vanilla and whisk together. Add the eggs and whisk again until thoroughly combined.
• Pour the custard over the bread and allow to soak for a few minutes. Press the bread into the liquid to help absorb.
• Sprinkle the top with the cinnamon and chopped pecans and bake in the oven until the custard is set, about 30 minutes. Stick a paring knife into the center of the pudding. If it comes out with liquid stuck to the knife, cook for a few minutes more until firm. Remove the bread pudding from the oven and allow to cool a bit.
• For the peach sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the peaches, sugar, and liqueur and stir gently until the sugar dissolves. Allow to simmer until the mixture begins to thicken and darken, about 2 minutes. Stir while cooking to avoid burning. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow to heat through and thicken, about 2 minutes. If the sauce needs additional thickening, combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir some into the sauce. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• For the rum sauce: Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the sugar. Stir and cook until the sugar is melted. Remove from the heat and add the orange liqueur and dark rum. Return to the heat and simmer for 1 minute, and then flambe, if desired, or just let the alcohol burn off.
• To plate: Using a ring cutter, cut out rounds of bread pudding and plate in a shallow bowl. Pour the peach sauce over top, and then the rum sauce. Garnish with a dollop of creme fraiche and a small sprig fresh mint.

BRIOCHE BUNS

Steps:

• Mix the warm water, yeast, warm milk and sugar in a bowl. Let it stand for 5 mins until it becomes frothy - this is how you know the yeast is working.
• Tip the flour and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl, add the butter and rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Make a well in the centre of the buttery flour and add the warm yeast mixture and the eggs.
• Use your hands to mix it into a sticky dough - don't worry if the mixture feels a little wet at this stage, it will come together when kneading. Tip the dough out onto a floured work surface.
• Knead the dough for 10 mins by stretching it on the work surface - it will still be very sticky at this stage but don't be tempted to add too much flour.
• The dough is ready when it feels soft and bouncy - this means that the gluten strands have developed. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with cling film and set aside to rise for 1-3 hrs or until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has doubled in size, knock the air out and knead again for 2 mins. The dough should be much less sticky now, but add a little flour if it needs it.
• Divide the dough into 12-16 even pieces. Roll into balls and arrange on lined baking trays. Loosely cover with oiled cling film and leave for about 1 hr or until doubled in size again. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and place a shallow baking tray at the bottom.
• Uncover the trays, brush the buns with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Pour a cup of water into a baking tray at the bottom of the oven to create steam (see Tips for success, left). Bake for 20 mins or until golden, then leave to cool on a wire rack.

FRENCH BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Place the first seven ingredients in bread machine in order suggested by your manufacturer. Select dough cycle.
• Turn finished dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead 5 to 10 times. Separate into 2 or 3 pieces. Roll with hands into strips. Braid or twist strips together. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Set aside to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk together 1 egg white and the water. Brush onto the top of the loaf.
• Bake in the preheated oven until deep golden brown, about 20 minutes.

EASY BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Mix everything together in your mixer until you get a nice really smooth dough. This can take a while. In my case it took about 15 minutes, scraping down the dough every few minutes from the dough hook in the mixer.
• After it's mixed, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat (so it won't dry out) then let it rise in a draft-free place until doubled. This might take as much as 2 hours since the large amount of butter will slow the rise. WAIT!
• After rising, de-gas the dough, cut it into about 12 equal pieces, press them fairly flat then add some chocolate chips.
• Roll the dough into a round shape and place on parchment paper to rise, covered for about 45 minutes. If you want, you can instead place the filled dough balls in a lightly greased muffin tin to maintain the round shape. They do come out much prettier that way! Let the dough rise in the tin until they overflow the tops a little to make the traditional 'mushroom' top.
• Pre-heat the oven to 365 F (185 C). Just before placing in the oven, brush gently with a wash of egg white and water. Sprinkle with sesame seed if you want. I think it make them tastier but it's just a matter of taste. Bake for 10 minutes, turn them 180 degrees for even baking, them bake another 10 minutes.

CHOCOLATE BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING WITH WARM VANILLA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees .
• Melt 1/2 stick butter in a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish.
• Cut brioche bread into 2-inch cubes, and press into the buttered dish.
• In a medium bowl, stir together all other ingredients (except chocolate chips), stirring to combine well, and pour evenly over the cubed Brioche.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
• Bake the pudding for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Warm Vanilla Sauce:.
• Meanwhile, place all vanilla sauce ingredients in sauce pan.
• Heat gently and stir often. Don't overcook, only about 5 minutes. Remove vanilla pod just before serving.
• Scoop bread pudding into twelve individual serving dishes, drizzle 2 spoonfuls of warm vanilla sauce over top of each serving. Heaven!

BRIOCHE CHESTNUT STUFFING

Steps:

• Arrange brioche pieces in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Let them dry out overnight, or place them in a 200-degree oven for an hour or two. (They'll be ready when they feel stale to the touch but haven't taken on any color.)
• Heat oven to 375 degrees, and butter a shallow, 2-quart casserole or gratin dish. On a pot on the stove or in the microwave, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Put bread in the prepared baking dish and toss with melted butter. Bake until golden and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then transfer toast to a large bowl. (Don't wash the baking dish; you'll use it again for the stuffing.)
• In a 12-inch skillet, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, celery, fennel and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until soft and just starting to brown, about 12 minutes. Stir in thyme and sage, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and transfer to bowl with brioche. Gently fold in chestnuts and pepper and let cool.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups stock, eggs, parsley and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Fold gently into bread mixture, then scrape it all back into prepared baking dish. Drizzle on remaining 1 cup stock until the mixture is moist but not squishy; you may not need all the stock.
• Cover dish with foil and bake until lightly springy, about 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until golden brown, another 20 to 30 minutes.

LIGHT BRIOCHE BUNS

Steps:

• In a glass measuring cup, combine 1 cup warm water, the milk, yeast and sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat 1 egg.
• In a large bowl, whisk flours with salt. Add butter and rub into flour between your fingers, making crumbs. Using a dough scraper, stir in yeast mixture and beaten egg until a dough forms. Scrape dough onto clean, unfloured counter and knead, scooping dough up, slapping it on counter and turning it, until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball and return it to bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using dough scraper, divide dough into 8 equal parts. Gently roll each into a ball and arrange 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheet. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let buns rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours.
• Set a large shallow pan of water on oven floor. Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center. Beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush some on top of buns. Bake, turning sheet halfway through baking, until tops are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Put the milk, yeast, egg and 1 cup of the flour in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer.
• Mix the ingredients together with a rubber spatula, mixing just until everything is blended.
• Sprinkle over the remaining cup of flour to cover the sponge.
• Set the sponge aside to rest uncovered for 30-40 minutes.
• After this resting time, the flour coating will crack, your indication that everything is moving along properly.
• Add the sugar, salt, eggs, and 1 cup of the flour to the sponge.
• Set in the mixer, attach the dough hook, and mix on low speed for a minute or two, just until the ingredients look as if they are about to come together.
• Still mixing, sprinkle in 1/2 cup more flour.
• When the flour is incorporated, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 15 minutes, stopping to scrape down the hook and bowl as needed.
• During this mixing period, the dough should come together, wrap itself around the hook and slap the sides of the bowl.
• In order to incorporate the butter into the dough, you must work the butter until it is the same consistency as the dough.
• You can bash the butter into submission with a rolling pin or give it kinder and gentler handling by using a dough scraper to smear it bit by bit across a smooth work surface.
• When it is ready, the butter will be smooth, soft, and still cool- not warm, oily or greasy.
• With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time.
• This is the point at which you'll think you've made a huge mistake, because the dough that you worked so hard to make smooth will fall apart- don't worry, don't panic- carry on.
• When all of the butter has been added, raise the mixer speed to medium-high for a minute, then reduce the speed to medium and beat the dough for about 5 minutes, or until you once again hear the dough slapping against the sides of the bowl.
• Clean the sides of the bowl frequently as you work; if it looks as though the dough is not coming together after 2-3 minutes, add up to 1 tablespoon more flour.
• When you're finished, the dough should feel somewhat cool.
• It will be soft and sill sticky and may cling slightly to the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• FIRST RISE: Transfer the dough to a very large buttered bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk, 2- 2 1/2 hours.
• SECOND RISE AND CHILL: Deflate the dough by placing your fingers under it, lifting a section of dough, and then letting it fall back into the bowl.
• Work your way around the circumference of the dough, lifting and releasing.
• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours, during which time it will continue to rise and may double in size again.
• AFTER THIS LONG CHILL, THE DOUGH IS READY TO USE IN ANY BRIOCHE RECIPE.
• STORING: If you are not going to use or bake the dough after it's second rise, deflate it, wrap it airtight, and store it in the freezer.
• The dough can remain frozen for up to a month.
• Thaw the dough, still wrapped, in the refrigerator overnight and use it directly from the refrigerator.
• TO BAKE IN LOAVES: Divide the dough into thirds.
• Divide each section into 6 equal pieces, and shape each piece into a ball on a lightly floured work-surface.
• Place the balls side-by-side in a greased loaf pan so that you have 3 short rows, each with two balls of dough.
• Do the same with the other two pieces of brioche dough.
• Cover the pans with plastic and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Lightly brush each loaf with egg wash, taking care not to let the glaze dribble into the pan (it will impair the dough's rise in the oven).
• Use the ends of a pair of very sharp scissors to snip a cross in each ball of dough.
• Bake the loaves for about 30 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer reads 200°F.
• Cool to room temperature on a rack.
• NOTE: You could also use this dough to make the very finest sticky-buns you've ever eaten in your entire life, or you can press it out in a deep dish pizza pan, cover it with cream cheese mixed with powdered sugar, the put fruit slices or berries over it for a very upscale"fruit pizza".