Pain Brioche

Step 1

Place the lukewarm water in a measuring cup, sprinkle with the yeast, and set aside for 5-10 minutes.  In a small bowl, combine the butter and sugar, beating until smooth and pale yellow.  Set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, add flour and salt.  With the mixer running add, milk mixture, yeast and eggs.  Mix until dough comes together.  Add butter/sugar mixture 2 tablespoons at a time.  Mixing well after each addition.  Continue to mix for 3-5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.  form the dough into a ball and place in a buttered bowl.  cover and allow to rise for 1 3/4 hours.  Punch the dough down and reshape into a smooth ball.  Return to bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2

The next day, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand in the bowl at room temperature for 1 hour.  Then divide the dough into 4 equal portions about a 4-inch/10cm size ball.  Place 2 balls in each of 2 buttered 8 x 4-inch/ 20 x 10cm loaf pan, 1 ball at each end.  Cover and let rise to the rim of the pan.  Beat remaining egg and lightly brush the tops of each loaf.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown.  Remove the loaves from the pans and place on a cooling rack.  Brush with softened butter.  Allow to cool for 1  hour.  Makes two loaves