Milk Brioche French Bread (Printable)

Rich, pillowy French bread with milk and butter creates a tender crumb and golden crust.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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, cut into cubes

→ Egg Wash

08 - 1 egg yolk
09 - 1 tablespoon whole milk

# How to Make It:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly soft, like eating a cloud that has been kissed by butter
  • Your kitchen will smell like you have been baking all day, even though most of the time is just waiting
  • This bread transforms ordinary moments into something special, whether for breakfast or an afternoon snack
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are not just a suggestion, they are essential for proper butter incorporation
  • The dough might seem impossibly sticky after adding butter, but keep kneading and it will come together
  • Do not rush the rising time, this bread needs those long, slow rises to develop its signature texture
03 -
  • Weigh your ingredients instead of using cups for consistent results every single time
  • Start checking your bread 5 minutes early, as every oven behaves differently

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