This orange cardamom brioche bread is light and buttery with warming holiday spices. Makes for a great holiday brunch, or for gifting to family and friends!
2 tsp
Heavy Cream
lightly beaten and placed in a small bowl
1 tsp
Black Sesame Seeds
Instructions
In a bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the warmed milk and yeast (to make a “poolish”). Sprinkle the pastry flour over the mixture and let sit undisturbed until cracks form on the surface of the flour, about 10-15 minutes.
Whisk the eggs, then add them to the bowl along with the bread flour, sugar, orange zest, salt and cardamom. Attach the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on medium speed until the dough starts to come together, about 2-3 minutes.
Turn the mixer to medium-low. Add the butter in small pieces until incorporated. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and continue to mix until the dough wraps around the hook and is smooth and elastic, about 10-12 minutes.
Shape the dough in a ball and place it in a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough sit until it has doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the bowl to the fridge to sit for 8 hours or overnight.
The next day, grease two 9-inch loaf pans and set aside. Remove the dough from the fridge and place on a lightly greased work surface. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-inch log that’s slightly tapered at the ends. To make a loaf, take three logs and pinch three of the tapered edges together. Braid the dough, and then tuck the pinched edges under the dough and place the loaf into one of the greased pans. Repeat the process with the other three logs to make a second loaf.
Whisk egg and heavy cream together and brush each loaf lightly. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of the black sesame seeds over each loaf. Cover lightly with plastic wrap, and let rise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the loaves have doubled in volume.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly brush the loaves with another layer of egg wash--be careful not to tear the dough! Place in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, tenting with foil if it begins to darken too quickly.