Start your day with the irresistible aroma and delightful taste of homemade Brioche Toast Bread. This classic French bread, enriched with eggs and butter, transforms into the perfect toast, boasting a golden crust and soft, airy interior. Here's a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to creating this indulgent treat at home.
Ingredients
Before you begin, gather your ingredients:
- 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 7g fast-action dried yeast
- 10g salt
- 8 large eggs
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 200ml full-fat milk
- 100g caster sugar
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with a pinch of salt)
- Poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional)
Equipment
You'll also need the following equipment:
- A large mixing bowl
- A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment (optional)
- A clean tea towel
- A baking sheet
- A sharp knife
Instructions
1. Prepare the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, butter, milk, sugar, and citrus zests. Mix well until a dough forms. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment and mix on medium speed for 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. If mixing by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-12 minutes.
2. First rise
Place the dough in a clean, greased bowl, cover with a clean tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the brioche
Once risen, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knock it back. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a tight ball. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Cover with the tea towel and let them rise for another 1-2 hours, or until nearly doubled in size.
4. Preheat your oven
While the brioche is rising, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Brush the tops of the brioche balls with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if desired.
5. Bake
Bake the brioche for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow the brioche to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Slice and toast
Once cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the brioche into thick slices. Toast the slices to your desired level of crispiness and enjoy your homemade Brioche Toast Bread!
Nutritional Information
Here's an approximate nutritional breakdown per slice (based on 12 slices per brioche):
| Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 280 | 12 | 35 | 8 |
