Brioche Loaf

For a rich buttery bread to compliment Bean and Veggie Sliders, I decided to try a Brioche Loaf. The bread came out well, the sliders, not so much. Another great recipe for National Bread Machine Baking Month!

Brioche Bread
The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk

2 cups bread flour
2 tbs sugar
Optional: 2 tsps gluten for a lighter fluffier texture
3/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 tsp bread machine yeast

7 tbs unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Directions:
Add in order according to your machines instructions: w/d/y except for butter. Set crust to medium, basic cycle, 1.5 loaf size. Start.

About 10 minutes into the 2nd Knead cycle, slowly add in pieces of butter until they are all incorporated. Close lid and let machine finish. Open lid after machine is done. 15 minutes after bread has rested, remove and cool on a wire rack.

Sour Cream Bread

The first casual bread recipe I tried out in the Bread machine for National Bread Machine Baking month, this will fast become a favorite. Not as strong as sour dough, but a nice flavor on a dense white bread. Perfect for garlic breads and sandwiches.

Sour Cream Bread
The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook


As always follow your particular bread machines instructions when adding the order of the ingredients:
1/2 cup plus 1 tbs water
1 cup sour cream

3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tbs light brown sugar
Optional: 2 tsp gluten for a lighter texture
1 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast

Directions:
Place all ingredients in and program to Medium crust, Basic cycle, 1.5 loaf and press Start.

Remove immediately when baking ends and cool on a rack before slicing.

Champagne-Soaked Baba

Okay, so actually It's Ginger-ale Soaked Baba but only because I'm pregnant. LOL

January is National Bread Machine Baking Month. Since my BFF Sarah bestowed upon me her Breadman (as she is now Gluten Free and those breads don't do as well with the Bread Machine) I decided to finally free it from the dark confines of my pantry and use it to honor National Bread Machine Baking Month. What better way to kick it off then with a New Year's appropriate bread?

Read your Bread Machine Instructions clearly as some machines prefer Wet/Dry/Yeast ingredients to be added in a different order. Breadman is a W/D/Y method. Seriously this is so easy my Dachshund could probably make this bread.

Champagne Soaked Baba
Page 521 of The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Baking Cookbook

For a 1 and 1/2 pound loaf:

1/3 cup water
3 large eggs
6 tbs unsalted butter, melted

2 cups bread flour (I used Gold Medal)
1 1/2 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest (I used zest from one whole lemon)
1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 tsp bread machine yeast (I use Fleischmann's)

For Soaking Syrup:3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sweet champagne or Gingerale (for us pregnant people)

Directions:Add Dough ingredients to machine in manufacturer's order. Set crust for medium and program for Sweet Bread cycle; press Start.

My machine took about 3 hours to complete bread process, rise, baking time. So with about an hour left, I made the Soaking syrup. Combine the sugar and water in a small sauce pan and heat until sugar is dissolved. cool until warm and add Champagne or gingerale. Set aside.

When bread is finished baking, poke wholes with a skewer and turn bread out onto a deep plate. Pour the syrup all over and let it stand to absorb. cover with plastic wrap until all liquid has been absorbed. Serve with warm fruit glaze. Recipe includes an apricot jam glaze but I chose to serve with homemade Pear Preserves or Applebutter.

Stephen and I are not huge fans of Soaked breads due to the soggy texture but this bread did have an excellent taste. Would have even been fine without the soaking mixture and just served with jam.