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Sourdough Brioche Recipe

Sourdough Brioche Recipe

An enriched dough crafted with butter, eggs, and milk, naturally leavened with a bubbly sourdough starter, creating a delightful bread that will quickly become a cherished favorite at the table.
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Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sourdough Brioche Recipe
Prep Time: 1 day
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 day 25 minutes
Servings: 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sourdough starter active and bubbly
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 sticks butter at room temperature

Eggwash

  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Prepare the Starter: Feed your sourdough starter the night before so that by morning it’s active and bubbly, ready to use.
  • Mix the Dough: In the morning, place all the ingredients into a stand mixer. Knead the mixture until it becomes smooth and glossy, which should take about 10-15 minutes. Even though the dough will be very wet initially, resist the temptation to add more flour.
  • First Rise: Cover the dough with plastic wrap, a damp towel, or a tight lid. Let it rise in a warm spot for 6-8 hours until it doubles in size.
  • Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for a few hours, or overnight, until it becomes firm and easier to shape.
  • Divide the Dough: Once chilled, split the dough into two equal parts using a bench scraper.
  • Shape the Dough: Further divide each half into eight pieces, giving you a total of 16 equal portions. Shape each piece into a ball.
  • Prepare the Loaf Pans: Line two loaf pans with parchment paper. Place eight dough balls in each pan.
  • Second Rise: Cover the pans and allow the dough to rise again until it doubles in size, which will take another 6-8 hours or can be left overnight.
  • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg yolk with water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over the tops of the risen dough balls to give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
  • Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the brioche turns golden brown.
  • Enjoy your freshly baked sourdough brioche, perfect for breakfast or as a delightful snack!

Notes

This dough is quite wet. Resist the temptation to add more flour, as doing so will result in a tougher bread instead of a light and fluffy one. If bread flour is unavailable, you can substitute with all-purpose flour. While the texture won’t be as soft as the combination of both flours, it will still be delicious, and bread flour aids in achieving a better rise.
For a dairy-free version, consider using a milk alternative and vegan butter, although I haven’t personally tested this variation.