Indulge in the luxurious taste of homemade brioche, a rich and tender bread that doubles as a delightful cake. This recipe incorporates a lovely chocolate swirl, making it not just irresistibly soft and fluffy but also visually striking. The addition of chocolate inside the brioche adds a sweet surprise, making this bread perfect for both a decadent breakfast and a comforting snack.
Why You'll Love This: This brioche recipe is a real treat with its buttery texture and subtle sweetness enhanced by pockets of melting chocolate. The process of making brioche, though requiring patience for proofing, is incredibly rewarding. The dough is enriched with eggs and butter, yielding a soft crumb that is a pleasure to eat. You'll find yourself wondering why you didn't double the recipe as it's sure to disappear quickly!
Perfect Occasion: Serve this chocolate-swirled brioche as a special weekend breakfast, during holiday brunches, or as a luxurious treat at tea time. It's also fantastic for gifting to friends and family who appreciate artisan breads or for bringing a touch of elegance to any gathering.
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (divided into 3 cups for the initial mix and ½ cup for later)
- 1 cup of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 20g fresh yeast (half a packet)
- 150ml warm milk
- 80g butter, at room temperature
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for half of the dough)
- Chocolate chunks or chips (for filling)
- For the egg wash:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, sugar, and salt.
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and then add it to the flour mixture.
- Add butter and mix until the dough begins to form. Incorporate the whole egg and continue kneading until you achieve a sticky dough.
- Divide and Flavor the Dough:
- Split the dough into two equal parts.
- To one half, add the additional ½ cup of flour and knead until incorporated.
- To the other half, add the cocoa powder and knead until the dough is evenly chocolate-colored.
- First Proof:
- Cover both dough halves with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough:
- Roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle.
- Sprinkle chocolate chunks or chips over the cocoa dough.
- Place the plain dough over the chocolate dough and roll them up together to create swirls.
- Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan.
- Second Proof:
- Cover the dough again and let it rise for about 30 minutes.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 356 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- Brush the top of the dough with a mixture of beaten egg and milk.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Check the brioche occasionally as oven temperatures may vary.
- Remove from oven and cover with a clean cloth to cool, helping to keep the crust soft.
Enjoy your delicious homemade brioche, a perfect blend of buttery softness and chocolate delight, guaranteed to bring joy and a touch of sophistication to your table!