BBA#4 My Accidental 'Middle-Class' Brioche

This is not the first brioche I had but it is my first time making brioche (hubby has been the bread-baker in our household until I began the BBA challenge.)  My beloved hubby, Bob, is the one who first introduced me to Brioche.  Bob has a soft spot for rich buttery pastries, so it's not a surprise that he would go for the brioche recipe out of the many good bread recipes found in Peter Reinhart's Bread Baker's Apprentice.  Bob had made the middle-man brioche before and it turned out quite well, so I was really tempted to try my hand on the 'Richman's' version even if just to find out how much better another pound of butter can make it.  Just when I thought I had finally overcome the guilt of using 2 pounds of butter in one recipe, I accidentally went with the sponge formula for the middle-class without realizing it until I got to the bread-making stage.  The sponge was ready to go and it was too late to start all over again, so I decided to go with the flow and complete my 'accidental' middle-class brioche. The brioche baked beautifully and the kitchen was filled with its warm and heavenly buttery aroma.  If we ever own a bakery in the future, the brioche loaves will definitely be on our list of offering!

Here is a crumb shot taken by hubby!

This was taken before I found out that I had accidentally made the sponge for middle-class version instead of richman's version. 

The dough started out quite sticky after all the flour and butter were added.

After a few minutes of mixing in the mixer over medium speed with paddle, the dough did turn to be quite soft and smooth to the touch and has a sheen to its surface.

 

I decided to make it into loaves as we prefer slicing it up for making toasts and sandwiches.  Below is a shot of hubby's poking his finger into the bread - like a naughty kid!!

Notes:  For the record, I didn't finish making this bread on my own due to another 'accident'.  While dough was proofing in the fridge, Bob and I went to the backyard to plant the vegetable plans we bought this week.  Just when I thought the weather couldn't have been more perfect and I was so close to finishing putting up netting all around corns to protect them from rabbits, I lifted up my right food and stepped as hard as I could on the poky spike on the side of the stake used to support the netting without giving much thought -- well, that was a stupid mistake.   The next thing I knew is that blood was pouring out of the bottom of my right foot because the metal spike pierced through the crocs I was wearing and poked a deep hole on the bottom of my foot.  It was not a pretty scene at all... Fortunately, hubby was right next to me when this happened.  He had me press the wound tightly and got me inside the house to help me stop the bleeding...  Thanks to hubby's TLC, I am okay now except hobbling slightly due to the injury.  (As a result, hubby took my place after the accident happened and finished making brioche loaves, hence the name - 'My Accidental Middle-Class Brioche'!)

Lesson learned: If you think the garden shoes are strong enough to protect your feet - well, think again.

Comments

[Phyl]

Ow! I hope you are OK. And I hope your tetanus shots are up to date. If not, please go to the doctor right away!

The bread is beautiful. And don't let DH take the credit -- you did most of the work!

[Sweet and Savory]

Thanks a lot, Phyl. I am doing much better now!

[Catherine]

Ohmigosh! A spike in the foot?! Hope you're healing up okay. On the other hand, the brioche looks fantastic!

[Mags]

Glad to hear you're OK. Your brioche looks lovely and tell hubby he did a great job picking up the slack after you were injured.

[Susie]

Great looking loaves. Hope your foot get all better soon.
Fantastic bread,
Susie

[nico]

very good looking.

[maris]

Isn't the best part of these breads the delicious aroma when they're baking!? I have a small apartment and it really fills the whole house!