Emulsifier Free Classic Brioche

Total time11 hr 15 min

Prep time40 min

Cook time35 min

4.5

(18)

Rich, pillowy, and deeply buttery, this brioche is the kind of bread that makes you feel like a proper baker the moment it comes out of the oven. The ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward — just milk, yeast, sugar, flour, salt, eggs, and real butter — which means there are no hidden additives or synthetic emulsifiers doing the structural work here. Instead, the magic comes entirely from technique: a long, patient kneading process that builds gluten strength, followed by a slow cold fermentation overnight that firms the butter and deepens the flavor naturally. That extended chill in the fridge is what gives the crumb its signature tender, feathery pull without relying on anything beyond what's already in your kitchen. The dough comes together in a stand mixer, so while the process takes time, the hands-on effort is genuinely manageable. Baked until the top reaches a deep mahogany brown, the finished loaf slices beautifully and tastes extraordinary whether you're serving it plain, toasted, or as the base for something even more indulgent.

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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)
2 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp fine salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces, softened to room temperature

For the egg wash

1 large egg
1 tbsp whole milk

Instructions

1
Combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp of the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir briefly and let stand for 5–10 minutes, until foamy and fragrant.
2
Add the flour, salt, remaining 1 tbsp sugar, and the 4 room-temperature eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes, then increase to medium speed and knead for 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl, and passes the windowpane test — a small piece stretched between your fingers should stretch thin enough to see light through without tearing.

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