Braided Sweet Brioche Loaf

Braided Sweet Brioche Loaf

This braided sweet brioche loaf is my favorite sweet bread! This is my go-to brioche recipe that can be altered to make a number of delicious brioche items. You can also use this recipe to make dinner rolls or brioche hamburger buns! You simply cut and shape your dough how you want to and use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If you want a savory version of brioche buns or rolls, omit the glaze! You can also build on this recipe by adding layered ingredients in the braids. Roll each dough strand in cinnamon sugar for example, for an even sweeter loaf with pretty swirls! And you can braid this bread with as many strands as you like. I used 3-4 in these images.

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 Cup Warm Water
• 1/4 Cup Warm Whole Milk
• 1 Tbl Instant Dry Yeast
• 2 Tbl Sugar
• 1 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1 Egg, Whisked
• 3 1/2 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Tbl Unsalted Butter, softened

Egg Wash:

• 1 Egg
• 1 Tbl Milk

Glaze:

• 1 Tbl Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/4 Tbl Sugar

Whipped Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter:

• 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
• 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
• 3 Tbl Brown Sugar, Tightly Packed

Directions:

1. Combine milk, water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. stir together and make sure the yeast is active within 5 minutes.
2. In an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the flour, salt, and whisked egg. Mix together for a few seconds. Add the milk, water, sugar, and yeast mixture, and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Switch to a dough hook attachment and knead on low for 6 minutes.
4. On a floured surface, cut dough into 4 equal pieces with a pastry knife. Roll each piece slowly with your hands to form long strands, about 18 inches.
5. Braid and gently place in a greased bread pan.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg wash ingredients and brush over the top of the dough.
7. Let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The dough should fill the loaf pan to the top rim or even more.
8. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 400F
9. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is baked through. Use a toothpick to test the center for fully cooked dough. Let cool before transferring the loaf to a cooling rack.
10. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar.
11. Brush the sugar butter over the tops and sides of the cooked loaf and let cool.
12. In a bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine the whipped brown sugar cinnamon butter ingredients. Whip until light and fluffy.
13. Slice the loaf with a bread knife and serve with the whipped butter!