Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Brioche

Total time11 hr 15 min

Prep time40 min

Cook time35 min

4.5

(18)

Brioche is one of those breads that feels almost impossibly luxurious — golden, pillowy, and rich with butter in every single bite. What makes this version so satisfying is that it relies entirely on whole, straightforward ingredients: flour, eggs, butter, milk, and yeast. There are no cured meats, no processed additives, and nothing that typically sneaks preservatives into an otherwise clean recipe, which is exactly what makes it a natural fit for anyone avoiding those hidden extras in packaged breads. The overnight cold fermentation is the real secret here — it firms up all that butter and builds a depth of flavor that a same-day loaf simply can't match. The final bake produces a deep mahogany crust with a soft, tender crumb that pulls apart in gorgeous, cloud-like pieces. It takes some patience between the rise and the proof, but the hands-on effort is minimal and the results are genuinely bakery-worthy. Slice it thick for French toast, serve it alongside eggs, or honestly just eat it warm with a little extra butter — no occasion required.

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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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