Gut Friendly Brioche Loaf

Total time11 hr 15 min

Prep time40 min

Cook time35 min

4.7

(14)

Rich, pillowy, and deeply buttery, this brioche is the kind of bread that makes an ordinary morning feel like a special occasion. The long cold retard in the refrigerator does more than just firm up the dough — it gives the crumb time to develop a gentle, complex flavor that a quick rise simply can't match, and that slower fermentation process is part of what makes this loaf so easy on the digestive system. Using whole milk, real eggs, and unsalted butter means every ingredient is straightforward and recognizable, with no additives or preservatives that can irritate a sensitive gut. The windowpane test built into the instructions ensures the gluten is properly developed, giving you that signature feather-soft, pull-apart texture without any shortcuts. Baking to an internal temperature of 190°F guarantees the loaf is fully cooked through, so the crumb sets up beautifully rather than sitting dense and gummy in the middle. Letting it cool for a full 45 minutes before slicing is the hardest part, but it's what keeps each slice tender and intact rather than gummy or compressed. Whether you toast it lightly or eat it plain, this is the kind of homemade loaf worth every step of the process.

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Ingredients

10 servings

For the dough

¼ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°f (43°c)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp fine salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
14 tbsp (1 ¾ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes, softened

For the egg wash

1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp whole milk

Instructions

1
Combine the warmed milk and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy and fragrant.
2
Add the flour, sugar, salt, and 4 eggs to the yeast mixture. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and mix on low speed for 2 minutes, until the ingredients are just combined into a shaggy mass, then increase to medium speed and knead for 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl.

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