Breads (Yeast) - Loaves

Brioche (Soft and Fluffy)

April 16, 2019 | Recipe by Bake with Paws
Soft and Fluffy Brioche

Soft and Fluffy Brioche

Soft and Fluffy Brioche

The above bread used 400g Recipe ⬆


This is my improved Brioche recipe derived from my Sourdough Brioche (Soft and Fluffy Crumb)  It is  not the traditional Brioche that is very rich and eggy.  This is a lighter Brioche that is very fluffy and soft. It'll be good for people that would prefer something that isn't so greasy and rich and yet still enjoy the taste of Brioche.   

The taste and texture of this yeasted brioche is the same as Sourdough Brioche that I shared earlier.   I used old dough method as I found bread made by old dough is more flavourful and soft with fine crumb.  Do try if you are looking for a healthier brioche recipe.

If you have any questions regarding this recipe or any other post, please leave me a comment in the “LEAVE A COMMENT” link and I will reply you as soon as possible.

RECIPE - 350G FLOUR 


Yields:  1 Loaf

INGREDIENTS:

Old Dough:
175g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
110g water or 130g milk
1/4 tsp instan yeast
1/4 tsp sugar

Main Dough:
175g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
All the old dough
40g sugar (I used brown sugar)
1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 tsp (6g) salt
20g milk powder (omit this if milk is used in old dough)
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste (I used paste)
110g egg, whisked (from 2-3 medium egg, balance use for egg wash)
80g butter, room temperature

Egg Wash: 
Balance of eggs + 1 tsp water

Utensil:
450g loaf pan (21.3 X 12.2 X 11.5 cm  /  8.4" X 4.8" X 4.5")

RECIPE - 400G FLOUR 


Yields:  1 Loaf

INGREDIENTS:

Old Dough:
200g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
125g water or milk
1/4 tsp instan yeast
1/4 tsp sugar

Main Dough:
200g bread flour (I used Japan High Gluten Flour)
All the old dough
50g sugar (I used brown sugar)
1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 1/8 tsp (6g) salt
25g milk powder  (omit this if milk is used in old dough)
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste (I used paste)
125g egg, whisked (from 3 medium egg, balance use for egg wash)
90g butter, room temperature

Egg Wash: 
Balance of eggs + 1 tsp water

Utensil:
Non Stick Loaf Pan (21.3 cm X 11.2 cm X 5.8 cm)


METHOD:
  1. Old Dough
    1. Combine water, yeast and sugar in a bowl of stand mixer.  Then add in bread flour and mix with paddle attachment. Roll into a ball and place in a greased bowl.  Cover with cling film and let it ferment for 8 - 10 hours in cool place or  air-conditioned room (25C - 26C) if you live in a hot climate.
    2. You may also let it proof 1 hour in room temperature (hot climate). After 1 hour, place into the refrigerator for up to 36 hours.  Take out the old dough from refrigerator to return to room temperature 30 minutes before using
  2. Main Dough:
    1. Put all ingredients (except butter) into a bowl of stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix for 2 minutes or until all incorporated.  Change to hook attachment and knead for another 3 minutes or until the dough comes together. Add in butter and continue knead for 12 - 15 minutes or until reach window pane stage.  During the whole kneading process, I stopped few times to scrape down the dough from the hook to be sure it is evenly kneaded and also to prevent the motor from overheating.
    2. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes or until double in size in a large greased bowl, covered with cling film or kitchen towel.
  3. Shaping:
    1. Transfer the dough to a clean floured surface then divide into 3 or 4 equal portions that you like. Form each portion into a ball.  Flatten with rolling pin. Roll each dough like a swiss roll into into a rope about 12" long. 
    2. Please watch the video how to braid 4 strands bread.
    3. Place braided brioche in a loaf pan.
    4. Let the dough rise for 45 - 60 minutes or till 90% - 100%  of the size, above the rim of the pan.  
  4. To bake:
    1. Preheat oven at 180C - 190C (top & bottom heat) or 160C - 170C (fan-forced) for 10 - 15 minutes before baking.
    2. Brush with egg wash.
    3. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
    4. Remove bread from oven and let them cool on rack completely before slicing.


Old Dough

Main Dough



GENERAL NOTES:

GLUTEN DEVELOPMENT & WINDOWPANE TEST
Gluten forms when flour comes in contact with water.  Hydration of the flour causes the sticky and stretchy protein to form, giving structure to the bread.  This makes your bread trap air and rise. 

Gluten in dough can be developed by autolyse, resting, kneading or folding.

The windowpane test is used to determine whether the dough has been sufficiently kneaded.  By gently pulling the dough (or you may pinch off some dough) and trying to stretch it into a thin membrane.  If you are able to stretch the dough paper thin and translucent  without tearing, then the gluten is fully developed.  However, if you can stretch it without tearing but the membrane is not transparent, then the gluten is not yet fully developed.  

However, from my experience not all the recipe can achieve a thin and translucent window pane stage easily.   For example low hydration and low fat dough.  For such recipes, a reasonable window pane is good enough and it can be left to rest. Gluten will continue to develop while resting.  Exercising restraint to not over-knead the dough prevents the gluten from being overworked and broken.   Some of you may have experienced the dough breaking during the second proofing.  It is because the dough is over kneaded. 

The total kneading time for me is usually 15 minutes at low speeds except brioche dough with high fat percentage or dough using liquid fat which usually takes a little longer (maybe 18-20 mins).

From my experience, I found that high hydration dough with high percentage of fat will be easy to stretch and achieve a paper thin windowpane stage.


KNEADING TIME
For kneading, please regard the timing provided as an indication only. It is only meant as a guide.  Timing may differ depending on the brand of flour and electric mixer used. The protein content may vary from one brand of flour to another.

FLOUR
The right flour plays a very important role in bread making.   To achieve fluffy, soft and light bread, I used Japan High Gluten Flour in most of my bread baking.  The protein content is around  12 - 13%.

HYDRATION
The liquid measurement given is also a guide.  It is advisable to always reserve some liquid and not add it all in one go.  This would give you the opportunity to adjust if necessary. If dough is too dry, add the reserve liquid one tablespoon at a time until the right consistency.  This is because each flour absorbs water and hydrates differently. 

PROOFING
Please note that the proofing timing may also vary depending on your climate and environment. The humidity and temperature at your place will influence how dough rises.  
If you are unable to judge by just looking at the dough, you can do the finger poke test:
  1. First Proofing:
    • Lightly flour or oil your finger or knuckle, gently poke in the centre of the dough then remove your finger.  If it bounces back immediately without any indentation then it needs more time.
    • If the indentation stays and it doesn’t bounce back or if the dough collapses, then the it is over proved.  
    • If it bounces back just a little, then the dough is ready to be punched down and shaping.
  2. Second Proofing:
    • Lightly press the side of the proved dough with your finger.  If it bounces back immediately without any indentation, it means the dough is under proved and needs more time before baking.
    • If the indentation stays and it doesn’t bounce back, it means it has been over proved.
    • If the indentation slowly bounces back and leave a small indentation, it is ready to bake. 
    • There will be a final burst of rising once the bread is placed to bake in the oven and it is called oven spring. 
WRINKLE TOP OR SHRINKING
If your bread collapses or gets wrinkled on top after removing from oven, it could be because your dough over proved during the second proofing. Please proof until it rises 80 - 90% in size or is slightly below the rim of the pan.

BAKING TEMPERATURE & TIME
Do also note that the baking temperature and timing provided are what works for my oven and should also be regarded as a guide only. Every oven behaves a little differently, so please adjust accordingly for your oven.

Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing your revipe. I tried but the dough waa still soft wet and sticky the next day...I have to add load of bread flour just so I could roll them into the loaf pan. The bread is soft though after 20min of baking at 180 degrees.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Thank you for trying this recipe. Yes, it is correct. The dough is supposed to be soft and sticky. I agreed not easy to handle and shape compare to the normal bread flour.

      Cheers :)

      Delete

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