Step 1

Measure all the ingredients.

Step 2

Add the milk, yeast and honey into the mixing bowl and whisk gently to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.

Step 3

Add the eggs and yolks, and whisk gently to break the egg yolks.

Step 4

Add the vanilla, sugar, flour and sea salt, and mix to form a scraggly dough.

Step 5

With the dough hook attachment, knead the dough on speed 2 or 3 for about 3 - 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the first portion of butter, in increments, after the first 5 minutes of kneading. Allow the butter to be mixed well into the dough. This should take about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Repeat with the other 3 portions of butter, kneading the dough for about 2 minutes after each addition. Make sure to stop the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl (and the bottom if needed) between kneading as well. You will have incorporated all the butter in about 9 - 10 minutes of kneading time.

Step 8

Once all the butter is incorporated, scrape down the sides of the bowl (and bottom if needed), and knead the dough for a further 5 - 15 minutes on speed 5 or 6.

Step 9

The dough will have been kneaded enough when it can be lifted fairly cleanly off the bottom of the bowl when picked up with the dough hook. It will be very soft and tacky to the touch, but shouldn’t stick to your fingertips. Rather than going by time, knead the dough until you have reached this consistency.

Step 10

Flour your work surface, and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Lightly flour your hands and the surface of the dough to prevent the dough from sticking to your palms.

Step 11

Fold in the edges of the dough towards the middle and gently press them into the dough (see pictures in the post for more information). Carefully flip the dough over, and then with the heel of your palms, shape the dough to form a tight ball.

Step 12

Carefully pick up the dough ball and place it back in the mixer bowl (or another large bowl).

Step 13

Let it rise until it has doubled in size, in a warm place (72°F), for about 1 hour.

Step 14

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and press down gently to deflate the dough with your hands. Fold in the edges again as before towards the middle and press them in. Carefully flip the dough over (seam side down now). Tighten the dough into a ball with a smooth, taut surface (using the edges of your palms). Transfer the dough into the mixer bowl again.

Step 15

Cover and let it chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours.

Step 16

Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. The dough will be much easier to work with now.

Step 17

Butter and dust two 8.5 x 4 inch, standard loaf pans with flour. (You can also use 9 x 5 inch loaf pans).

Step 18

Keep a bowl of flour, a pastry brush and a dough scraper/cutter ready as well.

Step 19

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Deflate the dough by flattening it lightly. Measure the weight of the dough, and then divide it into two EQUAL portions, using the dough cutter or a sharp knife.

Step 20

Now you've got two dough portions to make two brioche bread loaves.

Step 21

Weigh one portion of the loaf and divide it into 8 equal portions.

Step 22

For each portion (with the smooth side down), fold in the edges towards the middle as before. Carefully flip the dough over, and using a cupped palm, roll the dough portion on your work surface until you have a smooth dough ball (see pictures in the post for more details). Repeat with the other dough portions to get 8 smooth dough balls.

Step 23

Place the dough balls in the loaf pan in a zig-zag manner. This will likely be a fairly snug fit.

Step 24

After arranging the dough balls in the loaf pan, flatten them slightly. Then cover the pan with plastic wrap and set aside.

Step 25

Divide one portion of the dough into 3 equal portions.

Step 26

Flatten each portion into a small rectangle. Then tightly roll up the rectangle to form a tube. Using your palms, and a back and forth motion, roll out the dough into a 14 inch long bread rope. Apply light but even pressure to get a bread rope with even width.

Step 27

Repeat with the other two portions.

Step 28

Now you have three 14 inch long bread ropes. Bring the ends of the three ropes together and pinch to seal. Braid the dough, while being careful to avoid any loose folds and to not stretch the dough ropes at the same time. Once braided, the bread loaf should be a little longer than the length of the pan (about 9 - 10 inches).

Step 29

Pinch to seal the other end. Using your palms, press down the ends of the bread to flatten them against the work surface. Tuck the flattened ends to get a lovely, rounded loaf.

Step 30

Carefully transfer this to the buttered and floured bread pan. Flatten slightly to fit the loaf pan.

Step 31

Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

Step 32

Follow the same shaping instructions as for my white bread loaf in this recipe to form a regular bread loaf shape.

Step 33

Proof the bread in the covered loaf pans for about 2 hours at room temperature, or until doubled in size, and almost reaching the top of the pan. Preheat the oven to 325°F/163°C before baking the loaves.

Step 34

Once doubled in size, brush the tops with an egg wash. Optionally, you can also sprinkle some Swedish sugar pearls on top for a sweet crunch.

Step 35

Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top and the internal temperature registers 190°F/88°C. This can take about 35 - 45 minutes.

Step 36

Remove from the oven and let the bread loaf cool slightly - about 5 minutes.

Step 37

Carefully flip the bread loaf out of the pan, onto a cooling rack. Let it cool completely. Store in an air-tight container.