Discover the delightful texture and subtle sweetness of Yogurt Brioche, a French-inspired bread that incorporates yogurt into the traditional brioche dough for an extra tender and moist crumb. This recipe enhances the classic brioche with the tanginess of natural yogurt, creating a bread that's not only delicious but also wonderfully fluffy. Each component, from the aromatic vanilla sugar to the creamy butter, melds together to form a brioche that is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack.
Why You'll Love This: Yogurt Brioche stands out due to its unique use of yogurt, which not only adds a slight tang but also enriches the dough, making it incredibly soft. The inclusion of fresh yeast ensures that the bread rises beautifully, creating a light texture that brioche is famous for. This recipe is ideal for those who enjoy baking bread at home and are looking for something a little different from the usual. It’s a versatile loaf that can be enjoyed on its own, slathered with jam, or used as a base for French toast.
Perfect Occasion: This Yogurt Brioche is a fantastic choice for leisurely weekend breakfasts, as part of a brunch spread, or for afternoon tea. It’s elegant enough for special occasions like Mother’s Day or a holiday breakfast, and its delightful flavor and texture make it a welcome addition to any meal. Additionally, it can be a comforting treat to share with family and friends or to give as a homemade gift during the festive season.
Decoration Tips: For a beautiful and appetizing finish, brush the top of the brioche with milk before baking to achieve a glossy, golden crust. After baking, a light dusting of powdered sugar not only adds sweetness but also gives the bread a visually appealing, snowy appearance. For an extra special touch, you can sprinkle sliced almonds or pearl sugar on top before baking for added crunch and visual interest.
Ingredients:
- Dough:
- 500g flour (T45)
- 50g butter, room temperature
- 18g fresh yeast
- 2 natural yogurts (125g each)
- 1 egg
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 80g sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Prepare the Dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, salt, yogurts, egg, and crumbled yeast. Start kneading on low speed (setting 2) for 2 minutes.
- Add the room temperature butter cut into pieces and continue kneading for another 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise:
- Cover the dough in the mixing bowl with a clean cloth and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Brioche:
- Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a ball.
- Place the dough balls in a greased square or rectangular baking dish, arranging them close but not too tightly packed.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the dish with a clean cloth and let the dough rise for another 1.5 hours until puffy and almost doubled in size again.
- Brush the top of the dough gently with milk.
- Baking:
- Preheat the oven to the temperature specified by your appliance (typically around 180-190°C or 350-375°F). Bake the brioche for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Finishing Touches:
- Remove the brioche from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a sweet, decorative finish.
Enjoy this Yogurt Brioche, a soft, sweet bread that beautifully blends traditional brioche flavors with the refreshing twist of yogurt, making each slice a treat to savor.