Fresh Brioche Loaves

Combine the water, yeast and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (If the bowl is cold start with warmer water so it’s at least 110 degrees when you add the yeast). Mix with your hand and allow to stand for 5 minutes until the yeast and sugar dissolve. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, until well mixed.

With the mixer on low speed, add 2 cups of the flour and the salt and mix for 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low, add 2 more cups of flour and mix for 5 more minutes.

Still on slow speed, add the soft butter in chunk and mix for 2 minutes, scraping down the beater until well blended.

With the mixer still running, sprinkle in the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Switch the paddle attachment to a dough hook and mix on low speed for 2 minutes.

Scrape the dough into a large buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Grease two 8-1/2×4-1/2×2-1/2 inch loaf pans. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and cut in half. Pat each portion into a 6×8-inch rectangle, then roll up each rectangle into a cylindrical loaf.

Place each loaf, seam side down, into a buttered pan. Cover the pans with a damp towel and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. When the loaves have risen, brush the top of each with the egg wash and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top springs back and it sounds slightly hollow when tapped. Turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to cool.