Easter Brioche Recipes

Steps:

• Tip the flour into a food processor fitted with a plastic kneading blade and add the butter. Process until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the caster sugar, a good pinch of salt and the yeast.
• Add the eggs and mix to a soft dough, then knead in the machine for 2 mins. Butter a brioche mould or 2 pt loaf tin. Sprinkle a layer of flour onto a work surface and tip the dough onto it. With floured hands, knead very briefly to form a ball, then drop the dough into the tin, smooth side up. Cover with cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hrs in a warm place.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Brush the top of the brioche with egg yolk, then sprinkle over crushed sugar and bake for 20-25 mins, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Tip out onto a wire rack and leave to cool.
• No food processor? Simply rub the butter into the flour by hand, stir in the sugar, salt and yeast, then add the eggs and mix to a soft dough. Cover and chill for 20 mins (this makes it easier to handle), then knead on a floured surface for 5 mins. Drop into the tin and carry on as recipe.

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast thoroughly in the warm water. In a medium bowl, mix in 1 cup of the flour. Stir till mixed well. Cover and let rise till double in size.
• Blend the remaining flour in a large bowl with salt and sugar. Beat three eggs and stir in to flour. Will be crumbly. Gradually add the cup of melted butter stirring constantly. Beat the remaining three eggs and add while continuing to stir. Finally, add the yeast/flour mixture blending until completely incorporated. Use your hands if necessary. The resulting dough will be sticky. Cover and let rise till doubled in size.
• Deflate and shape into two round loaves or braid (this is not easy as the dough is very soft). Place a raw egg in center and let rise on baking sheet for at least a half hour. Place in 375 degree preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes till golden brown. You may brush the top with milk or egg yolk to glaze if desired.
• Prep time does not include rising time.