Swiss Brioche

Swiss Brioche: A Rich, Buttery Delight for Any Occasion

If you’ve ever been captivated by the buttery, pillowy softness of brioche, you’ll love the elegant touch of Swiss Brioche. This traditional bread is known for its rich, slightly sweet flavor and its luxurious, airy texture. It’s a favorite in bakeries and homes alike, offering versatility that ranges from the perfect breakfast bread to a savory accompaniment for your favorite dishes.

Whether you’ve already fallen in love with the soft, golden goodness of brioche or are trying it for the first time, Swiss Brioche is sure to impress. It’s made with just a few ingredients, but the results are simply spectacular. The delicate crumb and sweet, buttery flavor make this bread irresistible on its own, but it’s also a fantastic base for sandwiches, French toast, or even a decadent bread pudding.

Let’s dive into why you’ll want to try making Swiss Brioche at home and how you can create this melt-in-your-mouth bread from scratch!

Why You’ll Love Swiss Brioche

• Rich and Buttery Flavor: Swiss Brioche features a subtle sweetness and a rich buttery flavor that sets it apart from other types of bread. It’s perfect for everything from breakfast to dinner.
• Soft and Fluffy Texture: The dough is rich in butter and eggs, which results in an ultra-soft, light, and airy texture. The result is a bread that melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Versatile: Whether you’re enjoying it fresh out of the oven with a pat of butter, using it as the base for an indulgent French toast, or crafting a gourmet sandwich, Swiss Brioche is the perfect companion for so many dishes.
• Impressive Yet Easy to Make: While brioche may seem like something only a professional baker could master, it’s actually much easier to make at home than you might think. The process requires time and patience, but the end result is so worth it.

Ingredients for Swiss Brioche

For a rich, buttery Swiss Brioche, you’ll need the following simple ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (for brushing on top, optional)

How to Make Swiss Brioche

1. Activate the Yeast
   Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, warm the whole milk until it’s just slightly warm to the touch (around 100°F). Add the sugar and yeast to the milk and stir. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. This step helps ensure that the yeast is active and ready to help your bread rise.
2. Mix the Dough
   In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, the eggs, and vanilla extract (if using). Use a wooden spoon or the stand mixer’s dough hook to mix everything together until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough
   Once the dough has come together, start kneading it until it’s smooth and elastic. You can knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes or use a stand mixer on medium speed for 5-7 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but should pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much—brioche dough should remain slightly tacky.
4. Incorporate the Butter
   Now comes the rich part! Gradually add the softened butter, a few tablespoons at a time, to the dough. Allow each addition to fully incorporate before adding more butter. This process will take about 10-15 minutes, but it’s essential for getting that smooth, silky texture that makes brioche so special. Don’t rush this step!

Once all the butter is fully incorporated, continue kneading until the dough is soft, shiny, and elastic. It should no longer feel sticky and should be easy to work with.

Read more on next page