Go Back
–+ servings

Classic Brioche Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rising Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
Brioche bread loaf on towel

Brioche is a lightly sweet yeast bread enriched with eggs and butter which give the bread a tender crumb. It’s wonderful for French Toast.

Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Course: Bread
Cuisine: French
Keyword: brioche, brioche bread recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $6-$10
Calories: 231 kcal
Servings: 14 people (makes 1 large loaf)

Ingredients

For the Brioche Bread:

  • 3/4 cup warm milk, 1%, 2% or whole milk
  • 1 Tbsp active dry yeast, (platinum works best)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (plus more to grease pan and bowl)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp water
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds, optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Brioche Dough:

  1. In a measuring cup, stir together 3/4 cup warm milk (105-110˚F on a thermometer) with 1 tsp sugar. Stir in 1 Tbsp yeast and let it rest 10 minutes to proof the yeast (a foamy layer will form at the top to indicate yeast is active).

  2. In a separate mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine 3 eggs, 4 Tbsp melted and cooled butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp salt. Whisk together until blended then stir in proofed yeast mixture.
  3. Using the dough hook attachment on speed 2, or a wooden spoon, add flour 1 cup at a time, allowing it to incorporate with each addition. Add the last 1/2 cup of flour 1 Tablespoon at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides of the mixing bowl and does not stick to clean, dry fingertips. Continue to knead by hand or in a stand mixer for 8 -10 minutes.
  4. Transfer dough to a large buttered bowl and turn to coat in butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let proof in a warm place (100-110˚F) for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until doubled in volume.

Braid and Form Bread:

  1. Turn dough out onto a clean surface and divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 18 to 20” lengths and arrange them side by side vertically. Pinch the 4 pieces together at the top.

  2. To braid the Brioche: Cross the far right strip over its neighbor. Tuck the far left strip under its neighbor and over the next strip. Repeat this process until you finish the braid then pinch together the other end to seal and keep it from unraveling.

  3. Butter a large baking sheet and place the braided bread on your buttered pan. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or at room temperature for 1 hour, until visibly puffed.

Egg Wash and Bake:

  1. In a separate dish, beat together 1 egg and 1 tsp water. Once the braid has puffed up, brush with egg wash and sprinkle on poppy seeds if using.
  2. Bake in the center of a preheated oven at 375˚F for 25-28 minutes tor until top is golden brown. Cool to room temperature before slicing.
Nutrition Facts
Classic Brioche Bread Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 231 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 192mg8%
Potassium 89mg3%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 181IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 33mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.