Step 1

Line a baking sheet or baking dish with plastic wrap, foil or parchment. Add the sprinkles to the baking sheet and transfer to the freezer.

Step 2

In a stand mixer, with the dough hook, mix together all of the dough ingredients to form a mostly smooth, shiny dough. Don't worry; what starts out as a sticky mess becomes beautifully satiny as it kneads. Knead this dough on medium speed for 10 minutes. (The original recipe usually calls for 15 to 20 minutes, but we're kneading it later on in the recipe, again, and we don't want over-kneaded dough so we're stopping at 10 minutes!).

Step 3

Spray a medium bowl with cooking spray. Transfer the dough into the greased bowl, using a spatula because the dough will be a bit sticky. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for 1 hour. At the 1 hour mark, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to proof for several hours, ideally overnight. This will slow the fermentation and chill the butter, making the dough easier to shape.

Step 4

When the dough has chilled, transfer about half of it (you're really gonna have to pull it out of the bowl--it'll be hard and super cold!) to the bowl of a stand-up mixer, with the dough hook attached.

Step 5

Remove the frozen sprinkles from the freezer and reserve about a teaspoon for the topping. Pour about 2 teaspoons of sprinkles on top of the dough that's in the machine. Turn the machine on low speed and knead for about 30 to 40 seconds. Stop the machine and add the remaining dough and sprinkles. Knead again for about 2 minutes--during this time the sprinkles should totally be mixed into the dough and the dough should become smoother. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times to form a ball. This step helped with getting it a bit smoother.

Step 6

You have some options in terms of sizing. You can do: 1.) One large loaf in a 9x5-inch loaf pan. 2.). One loaf in a 8x4-inch pan and one 2 1/2x2 loaf pan. 3.) Or you could do four 2 1/2x2 loaf pans.

Step 7

To do a 9 x 5-inch loaf: Divide the dough into three and roll those pieces into logs that are about 9 inches long. Braid them, tuck the ends under and transfer the whole thing to the lightly greased pan.

Step 8

To do a 8x4 1/2-inch loaf and one 2 1/2x2 loaf: Form the dough into a ball and cut off about 1/4 of the dough. Cut that small piece into three and roll each of those pieces into logs that are about 3 inches long. Braid them, tuck the ends under and transfer the small braid to the lightly greased 2 1/2x2-inch loaf pan. Repeat these same steps with the larger leftover piece of dough and transfer the big braid to the lightly greased 8x4 1/2-inch pan.

Step 9

To make mini loaves: Divide the dough into four. Divide the first ball of dough into three and roll each of those pieces into logs that are about 3 inches long. Braid them, tuck the ends under and transfer the braid to the lightly greased 2 1/2x2-inch loaf pan. Repeat these same steps with the three remaining pieces of dough and transfer them each to 2 1/2x2-inch loaf pans.

Step 10

Cover the dough, regardless which route you went, and allow it to rise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. During this time, each loaf will double in size.

Step 11

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the loaf or loaves with the egg yolk and top with sprinkles. Transfer to the oven to bake for 10 minutes. At the 10 minute mark, turn the heat down to 350 degrees and tent the brioche, if needed, with a sheet of foil. I found that I needed to tent it at the 15 minute mark but this may vary. Bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes for a large loaf and 10 to 15 minutes for a smaller loaf. Insert a digital thermometer in the center and you'll know it's done when it reads 190F. Remove and allow to cool completely before slicing.