Brioche Bread Recipe Easy No Knead Recipe Made By Hand

There’s no need for a stand mixer or an arm workout in this overnight brioche recipe. Just like in my No-Knead Bread and Olive Loaf, time will do the work for you in this no-knead dish! Plus, you can use this exact dough to create delicious Homemade Brioche Buns with just a few small changes to the process.This brioche bread recipe yields two loaves, which means you can enjoy a slice right out of the oven and freeze the rest for later. Did I mention brioche freezes really well?There are countless brioche bread uses, whether you’re looking for mouthwatering sandwich bread, Thanksgiving stuffing (like my Wild Mushroom Stuffing), or even French toast!

What is Brioche Bread?

Containing many of the same ingredients as regular bread, brioche is a French bread made with eggs, sugar, and a healthy amount of butter. The traditional brioche recipe is known for its golden-brown coat, fluffy center, and rich taste, and it’s often used in breakfast and dessert dishes. Perhaps it’s because of this versatility that there are so many names for brioche bread: French brioche, French brioche bread, French butter bread, French sweet bread brioche, and more!

Ingredients

Brioche bread ingredients are simple, inexpensive, and pantry-ready. All you need is bread flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, large eggs, water, sugar, and unsalted butter.

Helpful Ingredient Notes:

Flour: I find that the best flour for brioche is bread flour. If you are living in the US, I highly recommend buying the King Arthur Flour brand. Because bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, it produces better-quality gluten, which helps bread rise.Butter: If possible, use European-style unsalted butter, such as butter from Vermont Creamery. Its higher fat content will give your brioche more richness, body, and flavor.Eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature when adding them to your dough mixture.Rapid Rise Yeast: This recipe uses rapid rise yeast that is also known as instant yeast. When shopping for yeast, be sure to not pick active dry yeast instead. They are different from each other and will yield different results, especially when it comes to rising times.

How to Make Brioche by Hand?

Making brioche bread doesn’t have to be a struggle. Put the ease back into your oven with my foolproof instructions for making the perfect brioche.

Prep the Dough

Overnight Rest

Shaping the Brioche Loaf

Bake & Cool

Equipment Notes

If you want to learn how to cook brioche, you’re going to need the right tools! These simple equipment tips will make sure every loaf comes out flawlessly.

Baking stones and baking sheets can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Just make sure you use one or the other to bake your loaves evenly.

Both 9’’ X 5’’ and 8½’’ X 4½’’ loaf pans will work for this recipe. Not only is there no difference in baking time, but they also result in similarly-sized brioche slices. Using a wire rack will cut your cooling time in half and ensure that every inch of your enriched dough cools evenly.

How to Store, Freeze, and Thaw

The best part about homemade brioche bread? How long it lasts! Whether you eat a warm loaf straight from the oven or save it for later, your taste buds will adore this buttery treat.

Storage: To store this homemade brioche, wait until the loaves are fully cool. Then, cut the bread into thick slices and seal the slices in airtight Ziploc bags. Once placed in the fridge, these slices will stay fresh for up to a week.Freezing: Similar to most other bread recipes, brioche freezes exceptionally well. Just let the bread cool, slice it, and place the slices into airtight Ziploc bags 1-2 layers thick. The bread can then stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.To Thaw: You don’t need to thaw brioche bread once you take it out of the freezer. Just pop each slice into the toaster until it reaches the desired level of warmth.

What to Make With Brioche Bread

If you’ve ever wondered, “What can I make with brioche bread?” then these recipe ideas are just what you need! Whether you’re indulging your sweet tooth or serving up dinner, you’ll find the perfect French brioche recipe right here:

Brioche Waffles: Instead of spending hours in the kitchen mixing waffle batter, skip the hassle by using brioche bread instead. This morning fix is as easy as it is scrumptious.Mushroom Stuffing: No one should settle for bland stuffing. Bring your Thanksgiving to life with this buttery, lush, and savory brioche stuffing. Did I mention it’s vegetarian?Brioche French Toast: Sweet brioche dough, fresh-picked berries, and thick caramel sauce make for a breakfast impossible to resist. Who can say no to this buttery morning treat?Bread Pudding: Nothing pairs better than the soft bread of homemade brioche, warm cinnamon, and thick cream. You’ll be asking for seconds of this gooey pumpkin dessert.

Expert Tips:

Want to bake bread like a pro without spending hours in the kitchen? This homemade brioche recipe will be a piece of cake once you learn these no-fuss baking tips.

Let your brioche fully cool before slicing it. This will ensure that your loaf maintains its shape and won’t lose any fluffiness during the cutting process.This brioche dough recipe is one of the most forgiving recipes in a baker’s arsenal. Simply follow my directions, and your five-star loaves are guaranteed to please!The egg wash in this recipe is optional, but it will help give your brioche its signature flakiness and golden-brown color.I recommend slicing your brioche thicker than you would other breads. Because the dough is so soft and puffy, thick slices ensure each portion is as satisfying as possible.When cutting your brioche dough into 6 equal portions, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh each piece to make sure they’re of equal size.