Brioche

I bought a great new book all about baking breads! It really is a pretty book by Eric Treuille & Ursula Ferrigno and it is simply called "bread". It is a wonderful resource for a new baker. It shows pictures of each bread and gives many variations on each recipe. It explains all about working with dough, as well as different types of flours and add-ins. I am currently IN LOVE with this book. It's the best $12.95 that I've spent in awhile.

Tonight I baked a loaf of brioche. One of the reasons that I've started baking bread is because there are no good choices at our supermarkets. I have never seen brioche or challah at our market. I don't even think Panera carries this type of bread. Well, now I am so excited that I can bake any bread that I want or need. And, the best part: I can do it myself! Cheaper, fresher, and just better!!

This is only about the 8th or 9th time that I've baked any bread at all and I would still consider myself "very new". They say that brioche dough can be hard to work with and it certainly was. It went fine up until the time that I had to work in one and a half sticks of butter. Then it truly became a buttery and greasy nightmare and my husband, daughter and myself really didn't think the bread would turn out.

I am very happy to say that it turned out very tasty. I have never had brioche before, but it is very much like a croissant. I will be making this bread again very soon. We were very impressed. I made this loaf for my next post, Berry-Brioche Bread Pudding with Lemon Fondant. I think Tyler would be impressed that I made my own brioche!! The recipe is not included in this post, but you can find many others online at foodnetwork or allrecipes.

Happy Weekend!!