We love the comforting aroma of homemade brioche with butter and chocolate chips. This pillowy bread traces its roots to French baking traditions fueling every bite with sweet decadence.
Our version is surprisingly simple yet yields a tender crumb that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. We add chocolate chips for a luxurious twist that transforms our kitchen into a mini bakery. We’ll show you how to achieve that signature golden crust and keep the inside irresistibly soft.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread Recipe
We love how tender the crumb turns out and how each melty chocolate chip infuses a hint of sweetness into every bite. This recipe is simple if we follow each step carefully, and the aroma transforms our kitchen into a French bakery. We also appreciate the versatility of this loaf, whether we slice it for morning toast or use it in a decadent French toast recipe.
Key Benefits
- Soft and Pillowy Texture: Our dough includes rich ingredients that create an airy rise.
- Chocolate-Infused Flavor: Every bite bursts with chips that add sweetness to the buttery brioche.
- Golden Crust: A short egg wash before baking develops a beautiful golden color on top.
- Simple to Customize: We can swap or add dried fruits, nuts, or more chips to suit our taste.
Here is a quick rundown of the essential timings to help us stay organized:
| Step | Time (Approx) |
|---|---|
| First Rise | 1 hour |
| Second Rise | 30 minutes |
| Baking | 25 minutes |
We keep the dough soft by using room-temperature ingredients, and we incorporate our chocolate chips near the end of the kneading stage to prevent them from melting into the dough. By following these steps, we get a bakery-quality loaf that stays fresh for days, ready to satisfy our sweet tooth every time we slice into it.
Equipment And Tools
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Stand mixer with dough hook | Builds gluten structure and reduces manual kneading time |
| Kitchen scale | Provides precise measurements for a soft and consistent crumb |
| Bench scraper | Aids in portioning and transferring sticky dough without mess |
| Pastry brush | Applies an even layer of egg wash for a shiny golden crust |
| Loaf pan (9 by 5 inch) | Derives a uniform shape for the brioche |
| Measuring spoons | Assists in accurate salt and yeast measurement for flavor balance |
Ingredients
We gather a short list of essential components to assemble our Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread. Each item plays a key role in building a tender interior and sweet flavor.
For The Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk lukewarm
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
For The Filling
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Baking Chocolate Chip Brioche is straightforward. We focus on thorough dough mixing and gentle proofing.
| Stage | Time or Temperature |
|---|---|
| Knead | 8 to 10 minutes |
| First Rise | 1 hour |
| Second Rise | 30 minutes |
| Bake | 25 minutes at 350°F |
Prepare The Dough
Place the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Attach the dough hook. Turn the mixer on low speed. Slowly pour in the lukewarm milk. Then add the eggs one at a time. Wait for each egg to incorporate fully. Gradually add the softened butter. Increase speed to medium. Knead until the dough has a shiny and elastic texture.
Add The Chocolate Chips
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the semisweet chocolate chips. Knead for 30 seconds to incorporate. Stop the mixer to keep the chocolate chips intact.
Proof And Shape
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Lightly flour a work surface. Gently deflate the dough. Form into a loaf shape. Place into a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
Bake And Cool
Brush the dough surface with a light egg wash for a golden crust. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.
Serving Suggestions And Storage Tips
We enjoy our Chocolate Chip Brioche with a range of toppings and accompaniments. We slice it thick and toast it lightly for breakfast. We also top warm slices with butter and jam or pair them with fresh fruit. We add a drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert option.
For an extra treat we dip brioche slices in a sweet custard mixture and cook them on a griddle to make chocolate chip French toast. We garnish with powdered sugar or syrup for a decadent brunch.
We keep leftover slices fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. We preserve the soft texture and chocolatey flavor by gently warming them in the oven. We place slices on a baking sheet and heat them for a few minutes at 300°F for a just-baked experience.
Storage Recommendations
| Method | Duration |
|---|---|
| Airtight container at room temperature | Up to 2 days |
| Freezer with slices wrapped in plastic and placed in a freezer bag | Up to 2 months |
We bring frozen slices to room temperature before warming them gently. We avoid refrigerating our brioche to prevent it from drying out.
Conclusion
We hope you’ll give this recipe a try and enjoy the comforting smell that fills your kitchen. It’s a fun baking project that’s worth every moment kneading and proofing. We can’t help but smile when we slice into this sweet loaf and see those melted pockets of chocolate. Whether we’re enjoying a warm slice for breakfast or indulging in a chocolatey treat, we’re reminded that baking brioche brings simple moments of happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes this Chocolate Chip Brioche special?
It combines a tender, buttery crumb with melty chocolate chips for a luxurious taste. The dough is enriched with eggs and butter, creating a light, pillowy texture. An egg wash before baking delivers a lovely golden crust. It’s an easy yet elegant way to add French-inspired baking to your routine.
2. How much time does the recipe take?
You’ll need about 1 hour for the first rise and 30 minutes for the second rise, plus roughly 25 minutes of baking. In total, plan for a bit more than 2 hours from start to finish.
3. Why use room-temperature ingredients?
Room-temperature eggs, butter, and milk blend more easily into the dough, helping form a smooth, elastic texture. Cold ingredients can slow yeast activity and create uneven mixing. Maintaining consistent temperatures ensures the yeast thrives, allowing a proper rise and a softer loaf.
4. How do I achieve a golden crust?
Before placing the loaf in the oven, gently brush the top with a beaten egg. This simple step seals in moisture and delivers that iconic brioche glow. Keep the oven at 350°F, and you’ll get a beautiful crust in about 25 minutes.
5. What equipment is essential for this recipe?
A stand mixer with a dough hook helps knead the dough efficiently. A 9×5-inch loaf pan ensures even shaping, while a pastry brush applies the egg wash evenly. Measuring spoons and a kitchen scale are handy to maintain accuracy. A bench scraper is useful for handling sticky dough.
6. How can I store leftover brioche?
Keep slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To extend freshness, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Avoid refrigeration, as it may dry out the bread. For a quick treat, warm frozen slices in the oven.